Whether you’re competing locally, statewide, or even on a national level, science fairs are no joke.

If you’re done with your project: congrats, you’ve completed half the journey.

But, to take your project to the next level and win big at competitions like Regeneron STS and ISEF, you’ll need an extra push.

That’s where your presentation comes in: to really ensure your project has that “WOW factor”, you need a compelling narrative to go along with it.

By the way, Rishab Jain, a Harvard student who won the $50K award at ISEF has released multiple videos on his YouTube channel about how to win ISEF: How to win 1st Place at ISEF

- https://youtu. be/sqfzvvn2GY0?si=GkPoNXR8Xqq3lepG How to create a winning poster

- https://youtu. be/qWERHVs14uE?si=h24aIDi3YNRwgysa The Importance of Storytelling in Science At a science fair, you may think the judges are solely interested in the content of your work.

Of course, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong: a science fair judge should normally be focused on what you’re saying.

However, part of your score also depends on how you say it.

Every contestant is looking to stand out among the dozens of other competitors.

To do so, you must present your scientific “story” in a way that makes the judges care about your project (which is harder than you might think).

Here are some ways creating a compelling science fair presentation can boost your chances at bringing home gold: Memorability Our brains are wired to forget stand-alone facts, and, with a complex project, there’s a lot of these facts to take in.

However, if put into an interesting context or interwoven with an engaging story, it’s much easier for us to remember what we’re learning.

Shows your passion If you can present your project with enthusiasm, you’re showing the judges your genuine interest and investment!

What judges love to see are students with passion, and by demonstrating that, you’ve already earned yourself a favorable impression.

Clear communication Conveying ideas by these means is nothing new: storytelling is a skillful technique that’s been used to present important ideas since the beginning of humanity.

If a judge can engage with and clearly follow a “storyline” in your presentation, it's more likely that you’ll have an impact on them.

How to Create a Compelling Narrative Science fair judges are looking at five basic criteria: creative ability, scientific thought, thoroughness, skill, and clarity.

A clear narrative in your presentation, if presented correctly, can hit all five!

Step 1: Map it out Even before you start making your board or drafting a basic script, you should sketch a basic mind map of how you want each idea to flow into the next.

If you’re jumping around from topic to topic with no clear links between them, you won’t be able to fully demonstrate your understanding of what you’re presenting – It not only confuses the judges, but it makes you look confused!

To truly make your project memorable, you don't want to word-vomit all of your results and hope they’ll be able to make sense of it.

Instead, weave together the facts skillfully to create a well-connected and well-articulated narrative.

Keep everything organized and figure out how you want to present each piece of information.

Do your best not to memorize, but to understand and map how your ideas all interlink.

Here’s a loose guideline

* for how your ideas should connect:  Strong opening The problem Strategy Results Impact *Remember to be flexible when presenting!

Some formulas can definitely help guide you to success, but you should be prepared to reroute based on what your judges ask in between and what you feel is right.

Have a plan, but don’t be afraid to branch off and mix things up!

Step 2: Argue for your project’s importance If you want to convince your judges to believe in your project, you have to convince them that your research is

1. Relevant and

2. Impactful.

Here’s how… Be concise and use meaningful details.

Remember, less is more: know what message you want to put out there, and stick to it.

If you can do it well, the judge will know it by the end of your presentation too.

Use evidence.

Statistics, graphs, charts, any data to show that this had the effect you had planned.

Weave these into your narrative, and make sure there’s a good balance between storytelling and real, hard proof.

Place emphasis on the most important parts by using problem and solution.

Think: Who does this impact?

Why is it a problem?

How does my research contribute to the solution, and why is my research particularly important?

Step 3: Use contradictions One of the most powerful tools a scientist can use is the word ‘but’.

Contradictions in your presentation introduce problems and provide dramatic effect, which can grab the otherwise wandering attention of audiences and judges alike.

A monologue without any contradicting statements won’t do you any favors.

If you string all your results together using a series of never-ending ‘and’s’, it can seem as if you’re only listing off facts instead of making meaningful connections between them.

Instead, as said by Bruce Kirchoff in Nature, an ideal structure for your presentation introduction is this: “‘X is the current state of knowledge, and we know Y.

But Z problem remains.

Therefore, we carried out ABC research. ’” By giving important background information at the beginning and then introducing the problem to be solved with these conjunctions, the most important introductory components of your project can be seamlessly put together in a few smooth sentences.

Step 4: Know your work AND your field Have not only technical depth, but also technical breadth.

Being very familiar with the intricacies of your project makes for a much more successful experience when speaking with your judges.

However, it’s similarly crucial to understand not only the mechanics of this specific research, but also the broader aspects of the field.

Be thorough in your research in both ways.

Take time to explore the different avenues of this scientific field as you dive deeper into your project, and understand how they connect.

Read up on articles, follow different journals and forums, and so forth.

Remember, judges want to see your enthusiasm for your work, and being able to go in-depth shows them just that.

This is the best way to show your passion for the research that you’re doing and your genuine interest in the field it's in.

Having this vast array of knowledge under your toolbelt will ultimately help you present the why’s and how’s of your research as well!

Step 5: Make your board clear and straightforward Though you should be focused on presenting your information verbally, note that judges will also want to be able to pick out the most important points and pieces of evidence on your board.

The easier to comprehend, the better: use visuals (e. g. graphs and tables, photos, 3D models), create sections, and make everything readable.

These things should help to break down the complicated concepts you’re explaining into more digestible chunks for your audience to understand.

Final Step: Make it stick Good storytelling techniques, paired with polished and diligent research, will take you far in any science competition.

I expand on these ideas in my video on my ISEF winning strategies, where I cover all of my tips and tricks for working the system of the world’s top science fair! https://www. youtube. com/watch?si=O5WpkkHeeociPRyn&v=TKHlaiPVXgE&feature=youtu. be Finally, go out there and make yourself memorable.

Remember that the accomplishment of just participating in an event will still be rewarding– but, try your best to bring home a medal anyway.

Unsure where to start?

Interested in pursuing science research, but not quite sure how?

Find out exactly how to begin your science journey and get opportunities to develop & present your work on my Youtube channel and my FREE Stem Student Guide, where I delve further into my own trade secrets to guide you through science research, internships, STEM competitions, research programs, and more!

Whether you’re an aspiring or an already accomplished student researcher, don’t forget to acknowledge your own efforts.

Keep taking steps towards your goals, and good luck on your science journey!.