Today and Saturday, the best science projects in the state will fill Hilton Coliseum for the Iowa State Science and Technology Fair, the only statewide science fair for middle and high school students.

In the fair’s 41-year history, this is the second year it has been held at ISU, said Sande McNabb, director of the fair and professor of forestry and plant pathology.

The fair is sponsored by ISU, as well as several individuals and industries, McNabb said.

More than 350 projects will be displayed.

Special guest Dr. Paula Mahone, one of the perinalatologists who delivered the famous McCaughey septuplets, will also speak Friday at 5:00 p.m.

The work of 443 students from 51 schools will be represented, said McNabb.

“It’s kind of exhilarating working with the students,” said Chuck Rodrigues, secretary of the fair’s board of directors and research associate in the forestry department at ISU. “They are so excited about science and there are so many good ideas out there.”

These good ideas will be represented in biological and physical sciences and team projects.

Preliminary judging begins Friday, and the projects will be divided into three groups. The top two groups will move on to final judging Saturday.

There are 110 judges, McNabb said, including scientists, teachers, past fair participants and representatives from state agencies. He also said every science department at ISU has been asked to participate.

Prizes awarded to winners of the fair include everything from calculators to scholarships, McNabb said. He also said groups giving awards range from the Iowa State Horticulture Club to the National Metric Association. The value of all the awards totals more than $30,000.

Fair hours are Friday from 1:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fair is free and open to the public.