Some 300 students will present research projects in the ninth annual Lewiston High School Science Fair, taking place in the high school gymnasium, 156 East Ave., from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8. (The fair is not open to the public.)

Presented in conjunction with the Harward Center for Community Partnerships at Bates College, the fair showcases projects created during the school year by students in grade 10. The projects run the gamut of scientific disciplines.

Last year's projects included studies on the effects of temperature on the growth of radish seeds, enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and links between bacterial growth and hand-washing. The sophomore projects are a culmination of scientific learning that begins in freshman year. "The freshman year is used as a time to focus more deeply on developing and recording steps of the scientific method," explains Laurie Haines, a science teacher at the high school.

"By the end of that year, students are expected to have chosen projects and to have developed a series of questions around all facets of their topics that they'll research in depth."

Assessed by judges from Bates and the community, the projects are eligible for medals and cash awards bestowed for best-of-fair and first, second, third and fourth places.

Winners will be honored during the high school's annual "Night of Excellence," at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 2. "Bates values the many ways that we partner with the local public schools," said Ellen Alcorn, service-learning coordinator at the college's Harward Center. "Every year our students look forward to helping plan, judge and run the fair."

In addition to the partnership with the Harward Center, Bates' role in the fair includes logistical support through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Fellowship, as well as the participation of faculty, staff and students who spend an afternoon judging the projects and talking to participants.

The college also supports the fair through a Bates Science Education Outreach Grant funded by the Hughes institute.