When Iowa State professor Harold McNabb heard the Science and Technology Fair was in danger of extinction, he stepped in and saved it.

The result of his efforts is the newly resuscitated Iowa State Science and Technology Fair, which will be held this weekend at the Iowa State Center.

By noon today, 450 middle and high school students from across Iowa will fill Hilton Coliseum, displaying over 400 scientific projects, McNabb said, a professor of plant pathology and forestry.

For the last 40 years, the fair was held in Des Moines at locations such as Vets Auditorium and more recently, at the Merle Hay and Valley West Malls.

This year, though, Drake University withdrew its sponsorship of the fair. Both Des Moines malls declined to host the festival and without McNabb’s help, it would have died.

McNabb said he was contacted by parents and teachers who were worried about losing the opportunity to give students the scientific experience the event provides.

He then talked to ISU President Martin Jischke, who was “very receptive” to the idea. The arrangements were made, and the Iowa State Science and Technology Fair was on firm ground once again.

He said 100 ISU volunteers will work at the fair.

“We’ve got some wonderful contributions here at Iowa State for this,” McNabb said.

McNabb said he plans to continue to host the event at ISU, since Hilton Coliseum is reserved for the next five years.

Students should “talk to their teachers as soon as possible” if they would like to participate in next year’s science fair, McNabb said. He also said each Iowa middle school and high school will receive materials next fall outlining procedures for entering the fair.

Preliminary judging will go on all afternoon and the public can view the projects from noon to 9 p.m. today.

On Saturday, the top eight students in each of four divisions — biological and physical science in both middle and high school — will present seminars about their projects to other participants.

Final judging will take place on Saturday, with the top three students in each of the four divisions earning monetary awards for their work.

McNabb said Hilton Coliseum will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the public to view students’ exhibits free of charge.