Do you want to provide this rich and challenging experience for your students? It can be as easy as passing along fair information so students and their families can “take it from there” and signing one form so we know the school was notified of the student’s participation. Or you can draw upon Terra resources such as Fair grants, fellowships, professional development or Fair in a Box to be a mentor or even a local fair director. However, you choose to encourage students, Terra can help.
Students are the explorers and they need to do that exploring themselves. Teachers and parents have the roles of guides, safety monitors, reminders, taxis and signers of paperwork. BEFORE students begin their work, you need to be sure their plans are safe for all involved and document that with the appropriate safety forms.
ANY adult can help and guide a student to prepare a STEM project, whether for a local or regional fair. One adult takes the leadership role, providing the supervisor signatures as needed. Simply access the online forms before the student starts to work.
Terra Fairs charge a registration fee per student to help cover Fair Day costs. The exact amount depends upon the fair; consult your fair’s website. Check your fair’s website to determine the exact per-student amount. If that fee is a barrier to a student’s participation, contact Terra about a scholarship.
Most Terra Fairs offer two general project divisions known as (a) Research and Engineering Design (RED) and (b) Topic Presentations.
| RED Division (Require Data) |
Topic Division (No Data) |
|---|---|
| Senior Research & Engineering Design Grades 9-12 (requires SRC paperwork) |
Topic Presentation Grades 5-12 |
| Junior Research & Engineering Design Grades 5-8 (requires regional-level paperwork only) |
The Research and Engineering Design (RED) Division is organized into Senior (high school, grades 9-12) and Junior (middle school, grades 5-8) Levels. These projects involve data collection in a scientific experiment or throughout multiple iterations with an engineering design. RED students compete for Fair Honors, Special Awards, and state, national and international advancement. Only Senior Level RED projects may advance to international fairs.
Topic Presentations are organized as an all-grades Division. Students in Topic Division make a model or learn about a particular topic outside the usual school curriculum for their grade without data collection or scientific experimentation. They prepare a report and poster, and compete for Fair Honors and some Special Awards. Typically, students choose Topic Presentation Division as a “beginner year” to become familiar with the fair experience. Advanced students may also use a Topic year for their planning and training in research techniques.
Affiliated science and engineering fairs require documentation signed by responsible adults that the students and their research subjects are safe throughout the process. Adults must review all procedures BEFORE the student begins experimenting or building. Those adults’ signatures and dates prove that was done. The Terra Fairs use a variety of processes to gather this documentation. Follow YOUR FAIR’S guidelines for safety paperwork precisely. If you have questions, contact your Fair Director of email [email protected].
This sample schedule offers a rough idea of what will happen on Fair Day. Registered adults and students will receive a finalized schedule by the first of March. Please note that if late winter weather conditions become a challenge, each fair makes its own decision regarding postponement or transition to virtual operation. Contact your Fair Director with questions!