Students compete in a regional symposium by orally presenting the results of their original research. By participating in a regional symposium, students and teachers may:

Participate in a forum honoring exceptional work in the sciences, engineering, mathematics, and supporting personal and professional growth.

Interact with practicing professionals who provide enrichments opportunities and discussions that allow participants to look beyond high school to future post secondary education and career development in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics.

Develop higher-order thinking skills and integrated learning acroos disciplines through the process of scientific inquiry, writing a scientific paper, and delivering a presentation -- all skills that will benefit students future post secondary and graduate pursuits.

Support and encourage the success of high school teachers in addressing the attainment and mastery of state and national performance and process skills standards in the sciences, mathematics, and languages arts by their students.

To increase the number of future adults capable of conducting research and development.

Participate in a scientific conference, visit research and development laboratories, and have their abstract published in symposium proceedings.

Gain self-confidence through the experience of conducting an independent research investigation and by networking among other participants with similar interests.

Advance in research paper competition to the National symposium and for significant military-sponsored scholarships and other awards.