Contact:
Carolyn Burleigh, R/West, carolynb@r-west.com, 503-381-1095 cell
Connie Bradley, Oregon State Fair, connie.bradley@state.or.us,503-947-3233

SALEM, OR - Last night at a reception at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, a program to organize a new science and technology competition was announced to 85 Oregon science teachers. The new program, slated for 2008, was introduced by Dave Koellermeier, State Fair Manager, John Burke, consultant for the Oregon State Fair and retired Oregon State University Extension Service, and Roger Rennekamp, Department Head and State 4-H Program Leader of 4-H Youth Development Education at OSU.

This new competition for grade school students will start at the county fairs and roll up to the state fair in a statewide contest in 2008. Oregon State Fair management in collaboration with 4-H representatives will reach out to education communities through the school system. Steering committee formation for the program will begin early October of 2007. Information, mailings, and website posting will also be available in October.

About 4-H

This new 4-H program expands on success with the Exxon-Mobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp, Oregon 4-H Tech Wizards, LEGO Robotics, New Media, GIS/GPS, and 4-H Wildlife Stewards. 4-H has established a national goal of 1,000,000 new 4-Hers in Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) projects by 2013. As evident by the new partnership between 4-H and the Oregon State Fair, Oregon is truly taking a lead in this exciting venture.

About the Oregon State Fair

Started in the late nineteenth century, the State Fair has become an Oregon family tradition. Families come from all over the state to take in great shows, rides, culinary delights, and animal and agricultural exhibits. Fair attendees will be able to see over 26,000 exhibits in livestock, home arts and hobbies, show horses, fine art, photography, professional wine, homebrew beer, small animals, including poultry, rabbits, doves, pigeons and guinea pigs, plus 4-H and FFA animals and events.

For more information call 503-947-3247 or toll free in Oregon, 1-800-833-0011 or visit the Oregon State Fair website at www.oregonstatefair.org.

The Oregon State Fair is a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department