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Stockton's Jersey Shore Science Fair judged online

  • Margate

Jersey Shore Science Fair at Stockton University.

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - The Jersey Shore Science Fair, an annual tradition at Stockton University, was held this year just not on campus.

Fair Director Catherine Jaggard, who has directed the fair for 21 years, said the fair was judged online. The 569 registered middle and high school students from Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean and Monmouth counties were allowed to submit additional information to replace the in-person interview with the judges usually done at the fair.

Students worked hard on these projects and we want to give them a chance to be judged, have a positive experience, and have their day in the sun, Jaggard said.

The fair was scheduled to be held in Stockton's Sports Center on Saturday, March 21, but the on-site event was cancelled due to coronavirus safety recommendations.

"We wrote up a contingency plan on the fly, and we have a fabulous team with Stockton, the judges and the teachers to make it work, Jaggard said.

Jaggard said she notified school advisers and instructions were posted on the JSSF web site, at stockton.edu/jssf. Judges reviewed the materials online, and posted the results online.

The Jersey Shore Science Fair is the largest in the region, with top students qualifying for awards and scholarships at the regional and international level.

Top students in each category advance to the Delaware Valley Science Fair. Organizers of that event, which was scheduled to be held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center April 7-9, are also working to convert it to an online platform so entrants can still be judged.