The public is invited to view projects entered in the Northwest Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair on display Friday in the Verizon Ballroom at the Arkansas Union on the University of Arkansas campus.

More than 250 students in grades 5 through 12 from 15 counties in Northwest Arkansas will compete in the fair coordinated by Lynne Hehr, director of the U of A Center for Mathematics and Science Education. U of A faculty members and graduate students will serve as judges.

Public viewing is from noon to 3 p.m.

The Earth and Space Festival will also be open to the public between noon and 3 p.m. in the International Connections Lounge in the Union. It includes hands-on earth, space and nanotechnology activities. The Oculus/Facebook Virtual Reality booth offers a personal interactive experience.

Categories for judging in the science fair are animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and planetary science, energy and transportation, electrical and mechanical engineering, materials and bioengineering, environmental management, environmental sciences, mathematical sciences, medicine and health sciences, microbiology, physics and astronomy, and plant science.

Senior Division winners advance to the state Science and Engineering Fair in Conway in early April. Overall Senior Division winners and their teachers will be sponsored to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh in May.