Welcome to the Fall edition of the MSEF Insider!

We’re thrilled to share that student projects are already developing and evolving in schools across the state.

In this issue:

• Meet Diego (pictured above) and learn about his incredible project journey.
• Get the first look at our exciting update on the 2025 Middle School State Fair location.
• Mark your calendars for all the Regional and State 2025 fair dates!
• Discover volunteer opportunities to help support the next generation of STEM leaders.
• Celebrate our newest donors and their contributions.

It’s going to be an inspiring season, and we can’t wait to share the creativity, passion, and innovation of our students' projects!

STATE FAIRS 2025

Middle School State Fair

We are thrilled to announce that the MSEF Middle School State Fair will take place at its new location, Clark University, on May 10th, 2025. A huge thank you to Clark University for hosting—being on a university campus truly elevates the experience for our youngest innovators, inspiring them as they showcase their work in a collegiate environment.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Cabot Corporation for their multi decade support in powering the Middle School State Fair, ensuring that students have the opportunity to explore their curiosity and push the boundaries of STEM discovery. Thank you Cabot for your steadfast support!

Check out the video below to hear directly from middle school students about their science fair journey!

High School State Fair

We are excited to announce that, for the third year in a row, the High School State Fair will be powered by Amazon! The Fair will take place on April 4th, 2025, at the iconic Gillette Stadium. A huge thank you to Amazon for their continued commitment.

The High School State Fair is a pivotal part of the science fair journey, where students have the opportunity to present and defend their work, building essential communication skills.

Through valuable conversations with industry and academic judges, students gain feedback, mentorship, and connections that will serve them well in their future STEM endeavors.



Check out the video below to hear directly from students at this year's High School State Fair!

REGIONAL FAIRS 2025

A huge shout out to our dedicated Regional Fair Directors and Committee members, who volunteer their time to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking through science fairs!

We are excited to announce the dates and locations for the upcoming Regional Fairs—mark your calendars! And keep an eye on your inbox, as they’ll soon be seeking volunteer judges to join this important work.

Regional Fairs - Middle School

Region 1 - April 16 MCLA North Adams

Region 2 - April TBD (Worcester area)

Region 3 - March 1 Bristol Community College at Fall River

Region 4 - April 12 UMASS Lowell

Region 5 - March 22 Regis College

Region 6 - March 8 Roxbury Community College

Regional Fairs - High School

Region 1 - March 7 Western New England University

Region 2 - March 7 Worcester Polytechnic University

Region 3 - March 1 Bristol Community College - Fall River

Region 4 - March 7 Tufts University

Region 5 - March 8 Bridgewater State University

Region 6 - March 8 Roxbury Community College

SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING

We have many other opportunities for you to volunteer and support student learning!

• One-to-One Coaching
• Pen Pals
• Presentation Practice Coach
• State Scientific Review Committee (SRC)

You can learn more and sign up at https://scifair.com/volunteer/

GET TO KNOW OUR SCIENCE FAIR KIDS

Diego is a student at Hoosac Valley Middle and High School and was the winner of the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize at this year's Middle School State Fair!

His inventive science fair project was titled "The Best Way to End Police Chases." At the heart of his work was a thought-provoking ethical question: How can we prevent the dangers of high-speed police chases? Diego’s approach stands out because he didn't just ask this question—he developed an engineering solution to address it.

Using his growing expertise in Arduino coding, Diego explored current technologies while drawing inspiration from art and video games. While acknowledging that solutions from virtual worlds might not always translate perfectly into real life, Diego’s commitment to thoroughly researching these engineering options impressed the judges. His trials were extensive, and his willingness to analyze and improve his data presentation shows his dedication to the scientific process.

One clever aspect of his project was the way Diego thought about safety. Instead of immediately stopping a vehicle in a high-speed scenario, he ensured the remote stoppage allowed for a gradual and controlled halt—demonstrating how he kept the original problem in mind throughout his experiment.

Judges praised Diego for his forward-thinking approach, his creativity, and his dedication to the details of the project. His work exemplifies how students can use science and engineering to solve real-world problems, and his story is testament to the power of curiosity and ingenuity.

Through our Getting Science Fair Ready programming, MSEF provides structure, guidance and resources that support students like Diego as they tackle complex challenges with creative solutions.

We are thrilled to announce that Massachusetts Life Sciences Center will continue to sponsor the Trailblazer Award across all 6 high school Regional Fairs, plus the iconic High School State Fair!

MLSC is committed to fostering the growth and development of the life sciences through innovative programming and initiatives.

Together, we are dedicated to reaching our most underrepresented communities, ensuring that students from underserved areas have access to valuable STEM opportunities.

Thank you, MLSC, for your generous support, which enables us to bring life-changing experiences to the next generation of innovators and promote greater equity in STEM.



We are excited to announce Moderna as the new sponsor of our Educator Excellence Award, which honors an outstanding teacher at both the high school and middle school level who has gone above and beyond in supporting their students' independent research projects.

As a leader in innovation, Moderna is not only committed to advancing science but also to supporting the educators who inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

Thank you, Moderna, for your partnership and your commitment to youth STEM education.

Be sure to check out Moderna’s new mRNA course highlight below!

We’re delighted to share that AMD will once again sponsor the MSEF High School Fair with the AMD Engineering Excellence Award, recognizing a top-placing student project in the engineering category.

Since 1969, AMD has grown into a global leader, setting the standard for modern computing and achieving many important industry firsts along the way. With their belief that together we advance, AMD is pushing the limits of innovation to tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.

Thank you, AMD, for inspiring and empowering Massachusetts’ next generation to do the same!

MSEF STAFF GET CURIOUS

The MSEF team spent a fantastic morning at Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm, putting ourselves in the shoes of students as they come up with their own project ideas. It was a great opportunity to step away from our desks, get creative, and remind ourselves of the kinds of questions and challenges young scientists face.

Ever wonder what resources we provide students, take a look here!

A student hands-on exercise was the perfect way to experience the excitement and curiosity that drives STEM exploration.

We're more energized than ever to support students through our Getting Science Fair Ready programming, which helps guide them from idea all the way to presentation. 

HIGHLIGHT

Through the power of mRNA, Moderna is reimagining how medicines are made and transforming how we treat and prevent diseases for everyone. Moderna is proud to offer mRNAs as Medicines, a free course on the Coursera platform offering a comprehensive overview of mRNA medicines, how they work and their potential applications.

mRNAs as Medicines is divided into three modules:



Module 1: Introduces the fundamental concepts of proteins and mRNAs, explaining their structures, how they are made, and the crucial roles they play in the human body.

Module 2: Covers classic molecular approaches to developing medicines and how recent technological advances have expanded our options, exploring how proteins and mRNAs can be used as medicines.

Module 3: Explores the diverse types of mRNA medicines and their potential applications in preventing and treating diseases, including the use of mRNA medicines as vaccines and therapies for existing conditions, as well as their potential in treating genetic disorders and in regenerative medicine.

Anyone with a keen interest in modern advancements in medicine can glean valuable insights and knowledge from mRNAs as Medicines. For more information on the course and to get started, visit the Coursera website.

Judge sign-ups will open next month, and I’ll keep you updated with all the details!

In the meantime, stay curious, and thank you for your unwavering support of MSEF and the future of STEM education.

As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our work is made possible through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you.

Together, we’re empowering the next generation!

Sarah Thomas

Development Manager

sthomas@scifair.com

What type of fish is made out of 2 sodium atoms? 

2 Na!

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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. EIN (04-2707499)