Learn how to shine at the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair and pave your path to the esteemed International Science and Engineering Fair(ISEF)!

Winning in this event can be a significant achievement for aspiring scientists.

This guide will provide you with the strategies and tips to maximize your chances of success!

Getting Started with the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair Completing a science or engineering project is a fun way to deepen your interests.

Presenting at a science fair helps you gain research experience.

The steps below will help you get started with your project.

They will make sure you are well prepared for the entire process of competition at the state level.

1. Determine your eligibility for the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF).

To be eligible to participate in the SSEF, students must first participate in an affiliated Regional Science Fair in Minnesota and be selected to advance.

Students must be in grades 6-12 to participate at the state level.

2. Begin Planning Your Project If you are starting your first Science Fair project, try using our Science Journal, which will guide you through the process of formulating a research question and designing your investigation.

3. Make a Safety Plan All science fair participants must conduct their experiments safely and ethically, to minimize potential danger to themselves, others, and their equipment.

To ensure safety and ethical scientific practice, all projects are required to go through a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) for approval.

4. Write your abstract.

An abstract provides a brief overview of your project and should summarize the results of your investigation as of the time of your presentation.

It tells the reader why something was done, how it was done, and what the results were.

It is not an exhaustive description of the project or results.

Abstracts for both high school and middle school projects must NOT exceed 250 words.

5. Project judging Professional scientists and engineers will judge your project and provide feedback (and encouragement!) using the materials you uploaded to zFairs and your in-person presentation.

All student projects are reviewed by several general awards judges as well as special awards judges.

6. Attend Science Fair.

The State Science Fair event is a great way to meet STEM professionals, network with your peers and learn about their projects, attend interesting workshops and fun activities, and connect with the larger STEM community in Minnesota!

Every year, our State Science Fair looks a bit different.

You can find specifics about this year’s fair on our 2024 SSEF Details page.

Categories at Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair offers a wide array of categories for students to explore: Life Sciences Animal Sciences: Investigate animal behavior, genetics, and ecology.

Cellular Studies: Explore cellular processes and functions.

Ecology: Examine interactions between organisms and their environment.

Genetics: Investigate heredity and genetic variations.

Physiology: Study bodily functions and systems.

Behavioral and Social Sciences Cognitive Psychology: Explore memory, perception, and decision-making.

Sociology: Analyze social interactions and group dynamics.

Biochemistry Medicinal Biochemistry: Focus on drug development and interactions.

Structural Biochemistry: Study the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Climate Science: Investigate climate change and its effects.

Water Science: Focus on water quality, availability, and conservation.

Microbiology Bacteriology: Study bacteria and their roles.

Virology: Investigate viruses and their behavior.

Physical Sciences Biomedical Engineering: Apply engineering principles to healthcare.

Biomedical Devices: Design medical devices for innovative treatments.

Winning Tips

1. Use the Resources from the Website Abstracts Abstracts for both high school and middle school projects must NOT exceed 250 words.

If we receive an abstract in violation of the length limit, we will send it back to the student for correction.

Team Projects Teams must consist of no more than three individuals.

A project cannot be switched from a team project to an individual project in the same year, nor can a project with three team members be reduced to a project with only two partners.

In order to participate in MSSEF, all members of a team must be registered even if all members are not able to attend.

All team members must be in the same division (i. e.

Junior or Senior) to be eligible.

Teams that contain a combination of both middle school and high school students are not eligible to participate in MSSEF.

Display and Safety Students must pass Display and Safety Inspections to ensure that their display boards are in compliance with the rules before they may present at an in-person fair.

Guidelines on display and safety can be found HERE

2. Choosing a Strong Research Idea Select a research topic that you’re genuinely passionate about.

Your project should be original, address a real-world problem, and demonstrate your scientific thinking skills.

Think about current global challenges, gaps in existing research, or innovative solutions to common problems.

Once you have a rough idea, refine it by conducting thorough background research to ensure your concept is both novel and feasible.

Developing a strong research idea can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be!

In this video, Rishab will walk you through step by step on how to find a good STEM Project idea: PlayHow to Pick a Science Research Project Idea: FULL GUIDE

3. Prepare a Stellar Presentation  Your project presentation is your chance to shine.

Prepare a well-organized display board that clearly communicates your research question, methodology, results, and conclusion.

Practice your oral presentation extensively: Be clear and concise in your explanations Show enthusiasm for your project Anticipate potential questions and prepare answers Use visual aids effectively If you want the best guide on how to create a stellar science fair poster that will impress the judges, watch this video.

It offers insights from Rishab Jain, Harvard Student and ISEF Winner!

PlayHow To Make a Science Fair Poster Board: An ISEF Winner's Guide

4. Conduct Thorough Research The backbone of any winning project is solid research.

Here’s how to conduct effective research: Literature Review: Start with a comprehensive review of existing studies to understand the context and background of your topic.

Use Reputable Sources: Rely on scientific journals, academic books, and trusted online resources.

Data Collection: Use reliable and valid methods to gather data.

Ensure your data is sufficient to support your conclusions.

Analysis: Analyze your data using appropriate statistical or qualitative methods.

Be prepared to explain your analysis clearly.

Mastering the Scientific Method (or Engineering Design Process) Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair emphasizes a rigorous approach.

Follow these steps to ensure your project is on the right track: Scientific Method: Question: Identify a problem that intrigues you.

Research: Investigate existing knowledge on the topic.

Hypothesis: Formulate a testable prediction.

Experiment: Conduct an experiment to test your hypothesis and collect data.

Analyze: Interpret your data and determine if it supports your hypothesis.

Conclusion: Draw conclusions based on your findings.

Engineering Design Process: Define the Problem: Identify a need or challenge.

Research and Design: Explore possible solutions and design a prototype.

Test and Evaluate: Assess your prototype and make improvements.

Communicate: Document and present your findings clearly.

5. Seek Mentorship Having a mentor can give you invaluable guidance and insight.

A mentor can help you refine your research question, troubleshoot experiments, and prepare your presentation.

Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer due to their experience and the advice that comes along with it.

Finding the right mentor is crucial, and that’s why a mentorship program like ScienceFair. io’s A-Z Science Fair Program will help you gain expert guidance to maximize your chances of winning.

Conclusion Winning the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair requires dedication, thorough research, and effective presentation skills.

By following these guidelines and putting in consistent effort, you’ll significantly increase your chances of success.

Remember, the journey of scientific discovery is as valuable as the destination.

Good Luck!.