Who?	Students who are interested in scientific experimentation
		What?	Scientific research and presentation
		When?	See the Academic Rodeo General Schedule and the Academic Rodeo Contest Timelines for specific dates and deadlines.
		Where?	Contest judging will occur at the fairgrounds.  Science Fair projects will be on display for public viewing during Academic Rodeo and during the East Texas State Fair.
“Promoting excellence in education and showcasing the talents of all our youth.”

See General Guidelines for general event rules and award information. The three levels of competition receiving 1st, 2nd or 3rd Place: Elementary School (grades 3 through 5) Middle School or Junior High School (grades 6 through 8) High School  (grades 9 through 12) The two display categories for recognition award ONLY: Elementary (grades K through 2) - Class project ONLY - NEW for 2009 Display Only in each level - Elementary, Middle School, and High School - NEW for 2009

Contest Rules 

(Revised July 2008)

The Science Fair is designed to showcase science projects of participating students in all schools in the geographic area covered by the East Texas State Fair. The projects are judged by a panel of scientists and/or science educators. Project must have been researched and developed within the last twelve-(12) months and may not have been previously submitted to the Academic Rodeo.

EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT CATEGORIES - Please note that Engineering is no longer a part of the Science Fair.

All projects must be designed to experimentally test a hypothesis.  Those projects entered which are not experimental will not be judged in the category entered.  Rather, these projects will be assigned to a Display Only category by level.  Recognition will be given to the outstanding displays in each level, but places will not be awarded.  A school may elect to enter one display project in each level which will be judged for recognition only with any other projects moved into the display category.

Biological and Life Sciences - The study of plants, microorganisms and life processes - (Projects related to animals and humans should be limited to observations of behavior, perceptions, etc. and should not cause harm in any way.)

Earth and Space Science - Astronomy, meteorology, geology

Environmental - Pollution (air, water, land), pollution sources and their control, waste disposal, impact studies, environmental alteration (heat, light, irrigation, erosion, etc.), ecology.

Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics) - Physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels, pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry

SCIENCE FAIR GUIDELINES :

1. Each CAMPUS may submit no more than six (6) projects in each level (elementary, middle school or high school) of competition in all categories. There is no set number of projects in a specific category other than the total maximum limit of six per campus per level.
2. Each Campus may submit 1 Display Only project for recognition but no award. 
3. Each student may submit only one (1) scientific project for competition. Each project must have been researched and developed within the last twelve (12) months. Students will compete in the age group to which they belonged when the project was completed.
4. Students must work alone in all categories except the Elementary Class Display project.
5. Projects in the all categories must be experimental. Projects that do not meet this requirement will not be judged as projects in the category, but will be displayed and receive recognition, but no awards.  See Science Fair Resources for online resources that will assist in developing project.
6. Projects may not use chemicals or flammable materials that could be deemed dangerous or hazardous to the health of the general public.  Chemicals, tissue samples or any element that would be dangerous or hazardous to the health of the general public may not be displayed at the Science Fair of the Academic Rodeo of the East Texas State Fair.  Photographs of experiments are acceptable.
7. Display boards for science projects MUST be freestanding and no larger than 4' X 4'.  The East Texas State Fair will provide tables for all displays.  Tables will not be against walls.
8. Display boards and journals or research files should be labeled for identification with the student’s name, grade, school, and category.   
9. Judging of entries into the Science Fair will occur on the set date and time designated on the Timeline. Displays must be set-up no later than one hour prior to the time set for judging. 
10. Each student who is competing in the Science Fair should be present for judges' interviews during the time specified for judging.  The interview plays a significant role in scoring of the project.  Project of any student not present will be judged but she/he will not receive the points given for an interview. It will be almost impossible for a student absent from judging to place in the top three.  All projects entered will be displayed during the week of the Fair.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Each project displayed should contain the following items.  See the Science Fair Score Sheet to see how each item is scored.

• Project Board –The board should be free-standing and no larger than 4’ X 4’.
• Journal or Notebook outlining the entire process from developing the hypothesis to completion of results
• Visual aids or other display items to explain the project and its results
• Projects will be stored over the summer to display during the East Texas State Fair.  Keep this in mind when choosing items for display.

 

ELEMENTARY CLASS PROJECTS (Grades K through 2)

This category is designed to encourage an interest in science and scientific research in the early elementary grades.

• The entire class will work together under the supervision of the classroom teacher to select a topic for research.
• The Scientific Method MUST be used throughout the project.
• The classroom teacher will present information to the class to inspire and support their research project.  Students may be assigned small group or individual research activities to contribute to the background knowledge for the project and assist the entire class in developing the hypothesis and research activities.

• The components of the project should be suitable for the age of the students in the class.
• A Journal or Notebook should be maintained throughout the project giving details about the purpose and hypothesis, procedures and experiments performed, results, and conclusion of the class. Include individual and group graphs and charts to support the project information.
• Prepare a display of the project and its results.  The display will highlight the information contained in the Journal or Notebook.
• Set-up can be by the teacher only or by the teacher and some or all of the students.
• Outstanding projects will be recognized with a certificate to be posted in the classroom.
• The class is not required to be present for judging.  Schools are encouraged to bring their classes after the Science Fair has been judged to see all exhibits.

RESOURCES

The following resources may be beneficial to teachers or students in preparing projects.

• A good overview of how to develop a project is available on the website of the Public Service Company of New Mexico.
• Environmental projects may find the Globe Project a helpful resource.

Computer Science Fair Contest Timeline

(See Academic Rodeo Timeline for specific dates and deadlines.) 

• Primary Contact for school or organization will submit the School/Organization Registration Form by the deadline. See the Academic Rodeo Timeline for specific deadline.  Click here to see if your school is registered.
• Sponsor will select 6 total entries for each experimental contest level (elementary, middle school or high school) of the school to submit for the contest. One additional Display Only project may be entered per level.
• Sponsor will register the students selected for the contest using the Student Registration Form by the designated deadline.  This can be coordinated with sponsors of other contests.
• Students set up projects during the time scheduled and attend the Science Fair Contest later in the day for judging of their entries. Students SHOULD be present to receive points in all categories of scoring.
• Winners will be announced within 2 to 3 days of the Science Fair judging.
• Science Fair entries will be on display throughout the Academic Rodeo.
• Students submitting winning entries will be recognized at the Academic Rodeo Awards Celebration. Students and/or school sponsors should attend to accept awards for the school.
• Entries (project boards and most display material) will be stored at the fair office to be displayed again during the East Texas State Fair in September. 
• Students or sponsors collect entries during the designated pick-up time period immediately after the Fair.  Items not collected will become the property of the East Texas State Fair and will be destroyed.