I think it's a perfect age for them to do an investigation . . . that's unique to them and not a cookie-cutter assignment.

In terms of student projects, they have basically been answering the same questions, but using different methods to answer them. Oh, but their display boards are getting better and better with the use of the Internet.

He became one happy kid when he left this room.

A student entered the auditorium, which was filled with about 300 projects or so. He stood there and said, 'Wow, there is science in everything.' That made my day. The world is open to them, and they have all these opportunities. I am just here to empower them.

This year, I think we will beat the 64 we sent last year. We have so many more projects that can make it.

When he came to me wanting to do something in astronomy, I got excited. Astronomy is my first love in science. But he wanted to buy a big telescope which we couldn't afford.