LEWISTON – More than 500 students will present nearly 400 research projects at the sixth annual Lewiston High School Science Fair on Thursday.

Presented in partnership with the Bates College Center for Service-Learning, the fair showcases projects created during the school year by students in grades nine through 12. The projects can represent any scientific discipline, including biology, natural science and physics.

The projects are eligible for medals and cash awards for best-of-fair and first-, second- and third-place prizes in each grade division. Winners will be honored during the high school’s annual Night of Excellence on May 31.

Bates College staff and community members will judge this year’s projects. Finalists will also be required to present their projects and discuss their findings with Bates science professors.

Last year, 17 students were honored for their work on 13 projects, including a study of the capillary effect in carnations and a look at chlorine’s effects on plant life.

The science fair will be held in the high school gym from 3 to 6 p.m.