LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 1,000 of the state's top middle and high school students will convene for the final round of competition in the 63rd annual California State Science Fair, April 28-29, 2014 at the California Science Center in Exposition Park. Winners will take home a combined total of more than $50,000 in cash prizes. The Fair's presenting sponsor is Northrop Grumman Corporation with additional support from Chevron Corporation, Southern California Gas Company, THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Blake Bullock, the Director of Business and Advanced Systems Development for Civil Air and Space at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, will serve as the keynote speaker at the fair. Bullock is responsible for leading sector business campaigns to address Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems business priorities within civilian government agencies and commercial customers. Prior to her current assignment, Bullock served as James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Campaign Lead as well as Risk Manager and Systems Engineer for the James Webb Space Telescope Program at Northrop Grumman. The keynote address will take place Monday, April 28 from 5:00-6:00 PM.

Ideas for projects often come from today's headlines or even real-life experiences. Here is a sample of the interesting titles submitted to this year's Science Fair:

• Frankenfood, Fertility and the Food Chain: The Effects of Secondary Consumption of GMO (genetically modified organisms)
• Nod Alarm for Drowsy Drivers: The NADD Project
• Kitchens vs. Bathrooms: A Study About Bacteria

• 4eyes: An Ultrasonics-based Solution to Collisions Involving Cellphone Distracted Pedestrians

More than 1,000 students representing 30 affiliated county and multi-county regional science fairs throughout the state have advanced to the California State Science Fair. The projects span 22 categories – from aerodynamics/hydrodynamics to zoology – in two age divisions and will be judged by a volunteer pool of some 350 scientists and engineers from private industry and higher education.

In addition to the winners in each category, top honors will go to Student of the Year (senior division only), and Project of the Year (in both junior and senior divisions). Science teachers, nominated by students, will also compete for both middle school and high school Science Fair Teacher of the Year. Additional awards will be made to student projects by scientific and engineering organizations.

Besides the recognition and prize money, participating in the fair provides additional benefits for students. The process gives them the opportunity to develop a unique set of abilities, including using scientific methodology to reach a conclusion, marketing techniques to create compelling graphic displays, and communication skills to explain their research to Science Fair judges.

The public is welcome to see this year's slate of innovative projects during the public viewing period on Monday, April 28 from 3:00-4:30 PM. Students will be present to answer questions. Admission is free.

The fair culminates with two award ceremonies Tuesday, April 29th in the Science Center's Wallis Annenberg Building: The Junior Division ceremony will take place from 4:00-5:00 PM, followed by the Senior Division ceremony from 5:30-6:30 PM.

The California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Parking is $10.00 per car in the visitor lot at Figueroa and 39th/Exposition Park Drive.

Media Contact: Kristina Kurasz
(213) 744-7446| [email protected]
www.californiasciencecenter.org/CSSF

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140416/75807

SOURCE California Science Center Foundation