 A meeting of scientific minds gathered in Bemidji last Friday to compete in the regional science fair, Josh Peterson met up with some of the young scientists and found that their projects are a possible gateway to future careers. Science can be found in just about everything. And at the regional science fair at Bemidji State University, youth from all over the region use the scientific method to experiment in various areas of interest. I mean, we have a lot of different categories that are here, but really I think the students get to apply what they've learned in the classrooms to something that they're really interested in. For 65 years Bemidji State University has held the annual regional science fair, giving professors and students the opportunity to work with young scientific minds. These middle school students are getting feedback from professionals in their field or from professors. So just seeing that and then also the students here get to see projects from other schools and interact in that way and just going through this process I think is a really beneficial thing. Whether it was sports science, food science or musical science, students who attended had a chance to showcase their ideas and interests. For two Bemidji middle school students, it was a chance to work together on looking at the effects of road salt runoff into area lakes. One of the point we did this project was if we found like really high levels, we'd encourage like someone with the right instruments, like more better instruments just to measure for chloride, like measure that spot. So like just basing off of our project, I think if somebody else were to do this project to measure like Noah said with more advanced instruments. For one student, it's all about the joy of discovery and finding answers to people's questions. I like questions, I like asking questions, so when other people ask me questions, that's really fun. Even though the science fair season is continuing, some have already thought of future science fair projects. I have some things with penicillin going on in my brain because like why are some people allergic to it and why does it help other people? After this meeting of young scientific minds, these students find their future looking bright. In Bemidji, Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. Out of the 85 students participating, 15 of their science fair projects will move on to the state competition in the Twin Cities next month. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.