LOUISVILLE REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIRS, INC.
THE LRSF's MISSION AND HISTORY
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LRSF MISSION |
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LOUISVILLE REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIRS, INC.
THE LRSF's MISSION AND HISTORY
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LRSF MISSION |
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A mission of the Louisville Regional Science Fairs (LRSF) is to host an annual local competition to encourage and recognize middle and high school students who have demonstrated outstanding originality in the creation of a scientific, mathematical or engineering project.
HISTORY OF LRSF The LRSF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Its history goes back more than 45 years to 1959. The Fair was known then as the Louisville and Jefferson County Science Fair, and was sponsored by the Louisville Engineering and Scientific Societies Council with the support of teachers in the public, parochial, and private schools.In 1965 the Fair associated with ISEF (the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair), sponsored by Society for Science and the Public in Washington, D.C. ISEF is the only international science and engineering competition.
In 1969, the Downtown Louisville, St. Matthews, Highlands and Hurstbourne Kiwanis Clubs jointly sponsored the Fair, and other Kiwanis Clubs in Kentucky Division 12 added their support. By 1980, the Kiwanis Clubs became the primary sponsors. Through subsequent decades considerable growth has occurred.
In 1994 a dedicated and visionary group of people joined together to build support for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to be awarded the location for the 1997 Intel-ISEF. This fair was held in Louisville with over 25 countries participating with over 11,000 visitors.
The outstanding success of the 1997 Kentucky Intel-ISEF enabled two major milestones:
1. The Kentucky Science Fair Endowment was established. This provides continued support, in part, to regional fairs throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.2. The Commonwealth of Kentucky was awarded the location of the Intel-ISEF a second time, in 2002.
This event was also a strong success, with 1238 students from 39 countries and territories participating, and eight (8) Louisville-area students placing fourth or better in their project categories.
The Louisville Regional Science Fair doubled its support for science education in 1997, becoming two Fairs, one for life science projects and one for physical science projects. The now renamed Louisville Regional Science Fairs send four category finalists, the team category winners and the finalists’ teachers to the Intel-ISEF.
Copyright 2003-2009, Louisville Regional Science Fairs Inc. and The Headwater Group.
Page last updated October 7, 2009