The Top Energy Science & Technology Fair in the Far North has attracted a record number of 150 projects that are being judged in the Turner Centre in Kerikeri.
The competition, which started yesterday is open to school children from juniors to seniors.
Chief judge Julie Harrison said this fair in the Far North traditionally produced more entries than were received from schools in the Auckland area.
"This year there are 10 projects entered by seniors in the Far North and by comparison there were only seven projects entered in the Auckland fair," she said.
She could not pinpoint a specific reason for the strong interest in science and technology in the Far North but said there was a long history of involvement by schools across the region.