Learn how to shine at the Utah Science & Engineering Fair(USEF) 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!

What is USEF?

The University of Utah Science & Engineering Fair (USEF) is an annual science & engineering competition for students in grades 5-1

2. Participation in science fair stimulates student's interest in science and technology while simultaneously promoting the development of communication, decision making, evaluation of alternative solutions and critical thinking.

Why Compete?

Participation in a science fair is one way to build student confidence, challenge potential, and instill the feeling of independent achievement.

Science fair projects can pay off in cash and open doors of opportunity.

Senior division grand prize winners have the opportunity to compete for additional awards and scholarships at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Participants whose projects are judged to be worthy of international competition will be judged by the top scientists of the world.

Imagine discussing your project with a Nobel Prize winner.

Categories for USEF 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 at CSEF

1. Use the Resources from the USEF Website Technology NEW Regional Fairs Project Abstracts How Projects are Judged Research Categories Why Compete?

The Scientific Method Project Examples General Rules Keeping A Notebook Scientific Review Committee Tips & Advice Project Development

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.

Look at the Project Examples for a small sampling of student projects on varying themes 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 Topic & Idea: FULL GUIDE

3. Prepare a Stellar Presentation for CSEF 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 Here are a few guidelines for how to think of and do a science fair project.

Problem Statement Pick your topic.

Get an idea of what you want to study.

Ideas might come from hobbies or problems you see that need solutions.

Due to limited time and resources, you may want to study only one or two specific events.

Write down concisely your statement of the problem and what solutions or insights are invited by what you know and don't know about it.

Consider what the solution might be.

Research Your Topic Go to the library or internet and learn everything you can on your topic.

Observe related events.

Gather existing information on your topic.

Look for unexplained or unexpected results.

Also, talk to professionals in the field, write or email companies for specific information, and obtain or construct needed equipment.

Organize and Plan Your Quest Organize everything you have learned about your topic.

At this point you should narrow your thinking by focusing on a particular idea.

Your background research should help you.

Think about what you hope to prove, how you intend to do it, what you need, what might go wrong, and where you can get help.

Make an outline of all these keys issues to guide you and be ready to adapt.

For more Tips & Tricks… Visit the Project Development Resource in the website 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. Project Judging Each project is judged on its own merits according to the following criteria: Project Objectives or Problem Statement Design & Procedures Data & Results Discussion & Conclusions Interview & Display Teamwork (for team projects) When scoring a project, judges rely on material provided on the project board, project notebooks (required for Junior & Senior Divisions, optional for Elementary Division) and other pertinent items on display, but most importantly on the student interview.

Each judge assigns a raw score (ranging from 1 to 100) to each of their assigned projects.

All judges have a natural bias, and some individuals score higher or lower than other individuals when considering the same project in a category.

5. 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) USEF 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.

6. 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 USEF State 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!.