DUNCAN — When Jason McIntyre was a young boy, he found science fascinating.

Now, McIntyre is encouraging today’s youth to see if science can do the same for them.

McIntrye, an engineer with Halliburton Technology Services, is on the planning committee for the annual Optimist Club Stephens County Science Fair.

For years, the Duncan Breakfast Optimist Club and Halliburton scientists have teamed up to host the fair.

But with the transition of many of those scientists being relocated to Houston, Texas, an internal change was needed to keep the fair rolling.

“We really wanted to be involved and learn the process,” McIntyre said. 

Last year, because of the small number of chemists available to help, Halliburton equipment workers got involved.

McIntyre was among them, which was a natural progression since a childhood interest spurred his adult career path.

“That’s what led me to be a mechanical engineer,” he said.

Last week McIntyre helped judge the Horace Mann Elementary Science Fair and today he will judge the Marlow Middle School Science Fair.

He’s seen some interesting exhibits, ranging from sports science to paper towel absorption. He said the exhibits “were pretty interesting and a lot of creative ones. There was a solar energy project that was pretty creative.”

Students entering the Stephens County Science Fair do not have to participate in the fair at their respective schools, al though it does help fine-tune their project, should the young person choose to enter at the county level.

Project entries are down this year, with about 100 already registered and another 25 to 30 expected. Registration takes place online and late registration continues through Thursday. McIntyre said that’s the last day projects will be accepted, because the committee has to have time to plan for the exhibits.

“As long as they register by Thursday, at the latest, we can accommodate them. Last year, we had over 200 projects, but I’m not sure why it is down,” he said. “The students are really participating in their school fairs. I’m not sure if they get intimidated about a county science fair or what it is.”

McIntyre said students should not let the idea of it being a county fair get in the way.

“There’s actually money handed out,” he reminded participants. “We have winners in all three categories and there are a lot of different awards given out.

“I think last year we gave $150 to winners in each group. That’s a lot of money for a fifth-grader.”

So far, Duncan Middle School leads in the number of projects registered with 25 and Marlow Middle School is at 24. Horace Mann and Plato elementary schools also have around a dozen-plus entries, while 16 Empire students have registered. Comanche has one entry and there are a few home school entries.

As for age groups, it’s the fifth graders leading with 42 entries. The numbers drop off as the students get older, with only five eighth graders registered as of Tuesday.

As for judges, there are over 40 of them, from Halliburton, the Optimist Club and the community. John Galloway is the Optimist Club representative.

McIntyre said corporate sponsorships continue to thrive and without them, it would be hard to continue the fair. “The donations help fund this. It pays for the T-shirts, prize money and awards,” he said.

Students will set up their projects from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center. Judging takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Science Fair opens to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday. Students, their parents, friends and interested viewers will have until 1 p.m. to check out the exhibits. An awards ceremony begins at 1 p.m.