General Information

Philosophy

The science fair concept has been established to:

Focus attention on students’ academic achievements
Strengthen student motivation and interest in science
Promote teacher and public recognition of outstanding science talent
Recognize outstanding individual achievements, efforts, potential, and creativity
This event provides a medium for students to apply learned knowledge and skills to solve real problems and answer real-life questions.

Entering the Fair

The competition is open to 4th – 12th grade students.
Each elementary school may bring 10 projects to the district fair.
Each middle school may bring 15 projects to the district fair
Each high school may bring 25 projects to the district fair.
Schools will decide how the projects will be selected. Most often this will be through a school science fair.
Students may work individually or in groups (no groups of more than 3).
Students may not participate in more than one project.
All participating schools must be represented by at least one teacher or administrator at the competition.
Registration must be submitted for each project entered.
Project displays should NOT show the students names.

Fair Attendance

Only participants, judges, teachers, and fair officials are allowed in the judging area during judging.

Liability

Exhibits must be brought to, cared for, and removed from the fair by the exhibitor.
The Science Fair Committee and cooperating groups will assume NO responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit.
Valuables, such as computers, meters, cameras, microscopes, etc., should NOT be left unattended. The only time they are required to be part of the exhibit is during the hours of judging.

How are the projects judged?

The role of judging is not to distinguish winners and losers, but to recognize students who achieve standards of excellence. By encouraging students to strive for their best effort, all participants are winners and grow from the experience.

A team of judges is assigned to each category. During the initial judging, the projects are grouped so that each project is screened by at least two judges.
All students must remain with their projects during the judging to make presentations and explain their study.
All others (sponsors, teachers, parents, and other students) are not permitted in the project area while judging is in progress.
All decisions of the judges are final.
Final judging information will not be available to participants, parents, or teachers.

How are awards given?

Every student entering the fair will receive an a certificate of participation.
Trophies will be given for the top 3 scores in each category. First and second place winners that are students in grades 5 through 12 will invited to advance to the Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair.