What Do I Need for STEM Fair?
Required Registration paperwork - All registration forms must be completed by the student and parent online and in a timely manner. The District and State Science Fairs are very specific in terms of both thoroughness and timeliness of registration forms. Clinics will be offered to assist students and parents in completing the forms. Please note, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure all required documentation is completed and submitted on time.
Research Plan – this is part of the required paperwork to participate. See handout for specific criteria and grading rubric.
Abstract – this is part of the required paperwork to participate. See handout for specific criteria and grading rubric. Please note, you will take 10 copies of your Abstract to each STEM fair you participate in to personally hand it to each judge. Additional copies will be left on the table by your board.
Lab Notebook - Use a 3-ring binder to hold all experimental documentation and use a composition style notebook to record information as you go, don’t come back after the fact and fill out your lab notebook. Include your ideas, observations, hand written data, and calculations. This must be written in ink. (It is fine to cross something out when you make a mistake.) It is important to document all research related work –anything and everything that demonstrates to the judges the work you have completed and the knowledge you have achieved. See handout for specific criteria and grading rubric
Research Summary - this is part of the required paperwork to participate. See handout for specific criteria and grading rubric.
Research Paper – 2 copies - one on the table for judges to look at and one in your 3-ring binder. See handout for specific criteria and grading rubric
Physical Display A display consists of the following:
a) One lightweight, tri-panel, poster board with appropriate information (including graphs, data tables, drawings, sketches, diagrams or photographs). Please note, displays at District and State Science Days are strictly poster format only. This means that the physical models and samples of research materials (whether glued or affixed in any manner to the poster or not) cannot be displayed and shall not be brought to District and State Science Days. See handout for specific criteria and grading rubric.
b) Ten copies of the abstract to personally hand to each judge. Additional copies should be left on the table by your tri-fold.
c) 3-ring lab notebook that includes research related work - anything and everything that demonstrates to the judges the work you have completed and the knowledge you have achieved.
Oral Presentation The student must be able to give a clear and concise oral presentation of his/her project, to answer questions, and to define any terms used. This brief oral presentation should completely summarize the project. The quantity and quality of knowledge attained will be evaluated by this speech. If a question is not clear, the participant should ask the judge to rephrase it. Although the student participant should practice his or her presentation several times, he or she should not attempt to memorize a formal speech. Students will have a chance to practice their presentations at our in-class Stem Fair. See handout for of what judges will be looking for.