JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A group of students showed off their year-long research projects in the Missouri rotunda this week, but they said they would rather be showing off their efforts at the Missouri Science Fair.

The only problem is Missouri currently does not have a statewide fair for students of all ages to compete for the next scientific breakthrough.

The science teacher who accompanied the dozen or so science scholars estimated a statewide science fair would cost around $600,000, but she added a local university has already agreed to host it.

Fox 2 is reaching out to several agencies and STEM-centered companies in Missouri for reaction regarding the lack of a statewide showcase of science in the Show-Me state. State agencies we’re reaching out to include the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.