Many people have experienced the atmosphere of a science fair at one point or another in their lives.

The kids standing aisle upon aisle aside their prized experiments waiting to be judged, while hoping to prove they are the best.

For some Eastern graduate students and faculty, it may be hard to clear away the cobwebs from past memories. But they can relive childhood memories at the sixth annual Research Fair and Luncheon.

The fair will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m Friday at the Arcola-Tuscola and Effingham rooms in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Except, this time around, there will be no judges or kids; there will be researchers and scientists.

Members of the College of Education and Professional Studies are sponsoring the fair, which will display the research of those at Eastern and across the state.

Beverly Findley, an educational administration professor and of the research and grant committee, said: “The event is very low-key, but is very fun because you get the opportunity to share your research with people that you may not see across campus.

Findley also spoke of how people form different colleges attend and visit with the researchers.

“There is usually a steady stream of people that attend the fair,” she said.

Marilyn Lisowski, a science education professor, said the fair is a good way to share ideas.

“Not only do we get to share projects and research and show what we’re doing, but also to see what others have done.”

Findley said any student in the College of Education and Professional Studies or those who apply for a grant are eligible to participate in the event.

The grants help provide a researcher with the funds needed to complete their research.

The CEPS research and grant committee will be awarding money to two recipients for upcoming research in 2003-2004.

This year, Rebecca Cook, associate professor of special education, and Audrey Edwards, secondary education professor, will receive grants.

Findley also said those who received grants in the previous year are expected to attend the fair and display what they have researched.

The research topics are diverse.

For example, Lisowski’s research topic was titled, “Flora and Fauna online and outdoors.” Her project involved working with teachers who will be doing species inventories around their schools and posting the information onto the Internet.

Grace Nunn, an early childhood elementary and middle level education professor, researched a program called “Reading Improvement project grades 3-6.”

Nunn helped students with reading deficiencies.

Charles Rohn, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, the CEPS Research and Grants Committee, the CEPS graduate school and CEPS Telefund Committee are sponsoring the Research Fair and Luncheon.

Attendance is open to any member of CEPS.