Building Curiosity

The first step to getting Science Fair Ready is being curious.

Lay the foundation for Science Fair projects by encouraging critical thinking and innovative ideas. We have redesigned the 'Get Science Fair Ready' section of www.scifair.com to provide tools and templates, videos and curated websites.

The 'Students' page is for students to navigate. It includes a student created podcast on the steps of the Science Fair process as well as useful sources for inspiration and information.

The 'Educators' page is for you. Find resources for student mentors, activities for the classroom, and updated FAQs. These two NEW resources are designed to help you guide student learning.

Most resources on scifair.com can be copied or downloaded for you to adapt for your classroom.

Research Plan Templates

The research plan is one of the most important tools to set students up for success with their project.

Not only does it make the review process easier, but it also helps the students think out WHAT they would like to accomplish and HOW. Sometimes in the process of drafting their plan they identify issues that could have derailed them later.

Find research plan templates, adapted from ISEF, that can be copied and modified for your students according to project type.

Research Plan Templates

Mentors and Coaches

The Student Mentor Application is now open.

The intent of the Mentor Program is to provide ongoing individual or team support to Massachusetts students participating in a science & engineering fair program. Depending on availability and project needs, students have the opportunity to be paired with a Pen Pal or a Coach or join a Group Think.

Mentorship Opportunities

'No Later Than' Deadlines

Set a deadline that works for individual projects or the entire class that is NO LATER THAN the deadlines posted at MAHS.zfairs.com.

Some projects need approval before starting, but all projects can be reviewed as needed NO LATER than these dates. Some teachers prefer that all students are on the same deadline.

Submit early to avoid the risk of delays or disqualification.

Note: Schools with large programs or school fairs after January 15 should email us to coordinate deadlines and uploads.

NEW Science Fair Ready Checklist

MAHS.zfairs.com

zFairs support

We never want paperwork and websites to keep students from participating in science fair programming. We're here to help.

If you would like to create a student test account in zFairs to familiarize yourself with the process, let us know.
Book an appointment with Elizabeth HERE. She can sit with you virtually while you and your students create accounts and upload paperwork.
If you would like access to a google form Research Plan template for your own purposes or preliminary review, e-mail me..

zFairs tutorial with chapters

Resources and Opportunities:

Join the Science Fair Ready Network to stay up to date on information and opportunities. Sign up here and/or join our teacher-only Facebook group.
Encourage students to sign up for our newsletter here or follow us on Instagram at @MassScienceFair. The most recent student newsletter can be found here.
Let me know if you'd like help connecting to your regional fair contacts about the event or local opportunities.
You can book an appt with me to plan for the year.

We can't wait to connect with you.

Rebekah Stendahl

Program Director

rstendahl@scifair.com

Book with me

Advancing science and engineering literacy since 1949, the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) was founded by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, MIT professors, and a group of pioneering K-12 science educators.

MSEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

Massachusetts Science + Engineering Fair | scifair.com