A record number of 110 graduate students will compete for $10,000 in prize money at this weekend's Graduate Research Exhibition.

James Scaltz, assistant director of Kern Graduate Commons, said first, second and third prizes will be given in five categories for a total of 15 awards. The exhibits are randomly set up and a representative from the exhibit must be present at all times, Scaltz said.

The exhibit gives students a chance to show off their research from fields such as engineering, science, agriculture and education to the public.

Scaltz said 110 students have entered the fifth annual competition, which is open to the public. Graduate students from University Park, Hershey, Erie-Behrend, Great Valley and Harrisburg campuses were eligible to enter.

"I think it will be really interesting," said Mary Russell (graduate-nutrition). She said she went to the exhibition last year and "was impressed at how diverse the exhibitions were. There are some things you don't expect certain departments to do."

"I'm curious to see what other people have pulled together with their research," said Tracy Hoover (graduate-agricultural education).

Hoover, who has never participated in the event, said she does not know her chances of winning because she has "no benchmark to compare it to."

George Denger (graduate-aerospace engineering) would have competed last year but his research was not complete.

Denger said the contributions of graduate students are often overlooked and the exhibition "is a chance for us to show what work we're doing."

The exhibition will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow in the Kern Graduate Lobby. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

The exhibition is co-sponsored by the Graduate Council and Charles Hosler, senior vice president for research and dean of the graduate school.