Explore the most recent Middle School Manual for requirements, regulations and expectations for the fair.
Use the Middle School Science Fair Ready Checklist for a step-by-step guide to the process.
Review the Middle School Forms Checklist for links to the digital forms to fill out electronically or download as well as instructions on how to fill out and submit the forms.
Email us for guidance and support at [email protected]
Please see manual for more details
1.
Projects should only include research done in the current school year to be eligible for participation.
2.
Individual projects must be entirely the work of the individual student and team projects (up to 3) must be entirely the work of the team.
3.
Required forms must be submitted for regional review through zFairs for approval BEFORE starting experimentation in most cases. All projects need to be reviewed before participation at a Fair. Consult the Middle School Manual for more details.
4.
Students are required to keep a bound or digital notebook with original and dated entries to record each step taking in the development of the project.
5.
Students must have a final lab report, complete with works cited. This should include all the steps of the scientific method or the engineering design process.
6.
Students must have a visual display prepared for presentation at the Fair. Consult the manual for restrictions on materials for the Fair presentation and venue.
Judges (professionals and academics in STEM) volunteer their time to review student projects. Judge scores are based on a student’s understanding of their project, not it’s sophistication. Review the Judges Rubric/Scorecard with your students to help them prepare for the experience.
Students who engage in research in the following categories MUST get prior approval before starting experimentation. This prior approval MUST come from the Regional Middle School Committee for projects that involve
New for 2024: Teachers can request training in order to approve non-restricted projects for experimentation. Email [email protected] to schedule
The following forms must be uploaded to the student’s Middle School Regional zFairs account:
Student must retain a copy of any/all forms.
More information about requirements and related resources can be found in this slideshow.
One set of safety guidelines refers to the time during which you are doing your experiment. The other set of safety guidelines refers to what you can bring the day of the science fair as part of your project display. Some of the guidelines overlap, but there are differences, so be sure to look at both sets. Consult the manual for more information. On the day of the science fair, there will be safety checks of all projects before the judging takes place.
The Thermo Fisher JIC (Junior Innovators Challenge) is a national competition for the top 10% of winners from all middle school regional and state fairs. Students with qualified projects receive a certificate and information about submitting their projects online. It is the student’s responsibility to submit their project by the deadline.