Here’s how to do well at the Alabama Science & Engineering Fair (ASEF) and work your way toward the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). This guide covers the strategies and tips to maximize your chances.
What is the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF)?
ASEF is the official state science fair for Alabama and an affiliate of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, bringing together roughly 1,800 finalists from over 80 countries, regions, and territories each year to present independent research.
Winners of Alabama’s regional fairs advance to ASEF, where they compete in either the Senior Division (grades 9-12) or Junior Division (grades 6-8). Students also complete ASEF-specific forms in STEM Wizard.
Student registration steps
Registration runs through your regional fair. As an example, here are the steps for NARSEF (the North Alabama Regional Science & Engineering Fair, hosted by UAH), one of the fairs that feeds ASEF. Every project must use the official paperwork and follow the ISEF rules and guidelines, with all forms uploaded through a STEM Wizard account. Dates and fees change year to year, so confirm the current ones with your fair.
- Complete a science fair project.
- Compete at your school fair and be selected to attend. (If your school doesn’t host a fair, contact narsef@uah.edu about attending.)
- Register your project using STEM Wizard. Registration typically opens in late summer, with the deadline to submit projects, paperwork, and abstracts in late January.
- Pay the associated fees (recently around $30 per participant, plus a late fee of about $60 per project if you miss the deadline).
Categories at ASEF
ASEF offers many categories to explore:
- Life Sciences
- Animal Sciences: animal behavior, genetics, and ecology.
- Cellular Studies: cellular processes and functions.
- Ecology: interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Genetics: heredity and genetic variation.
- Physiology: bodily functions and systems.
- Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Cognitive Psychology: memory, perception, and decision-making.
- Sociology: social interactions and group dynamics.
- Biochemistry
- Medicinal Biochemistry: drug development and interactions.
- Structural Biochemistry: the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules.
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Climate Science: climate change and its effects.
- Water Science: water quality, availability, and conservation.
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology: bacteria and their roles.
- Virology: viruses and their behavior.
- Physical Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering: applying engineering to healthcare.
- Biomedical Devices: designing medical devices for new treatments.
Winning tips at ASEF
1. Use the resources from the regional fair website
- Project Categories
- ISEF Forms
- NARSEF STEM Wizard
- Math Projects for Science Fairs
- The Homeschool Mom: Science Fair Center
- ISEF Project Abstract Database
- International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
- Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF)
2. Choose a strong research idea
Pick a topic you’re genuinely passionate about. Your project should be original, address a real-world problem, and show your scientific thinking.
Think about current global challenges, gaps in existing research, or new solutions to common problems. Once you have a rough idea, refine it with thorough background research to make sure it’s both novel and feasible.
Developing a strong research idea can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. In this video, Rishab walks you through how to find a good STEM project idea step by step:
3. Prepare a strong presentation
Your presentation is your chance to shine. Build a well-organized display board that clearly communicates your research question, methodology, results, and conclusion.
Practice your oral presentation thoroughly:
- Be clear and concise.
- Show enthusiasm for your project.
- Anticipate likely questions and prepare answers.
- Use visual aids effectively.
For the best guide on making a science fair poster that impresses judges, watch this video. It features insights from Rishab Jain, Harvard student and ISEF winner.
4. Conduct thorough research
The backbone of any winning project is solid research. Here’s how to do it well:
- Literature review: start with a thorough review of existing studies to understand your topic’s context.
- Use reputable sources: scientific journals, academic books, and trusted online resources.
- Data collection: use reliable, valid methods and gather enough data to support your conclusions.
- Analysis: analyze your data with appropriate statistical or qualitative methods, and be ready to explain it clearly.
Mastering the scientific method (or engineering design process)
ASEF rewards a rigorous approach. Follow these steps to keep your project on track.
Scientific method:
- Question: identify a problem that intrigues you.
- Research: investigate what’s already known.
- Hypothesis: form a testable prediction.
- Experiment: test your hypothesis and collect data.
- Analyze: interpret your data and see if it supports your hypothesis.
- Conclusion: draw conclusions from 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.
5. Seek mentorship
A mentor can give you valuable guidance, helping you refine your research question, troubleshoot experiments, and prepare your presentation. The right mentor’s experience can be a game-changer.
A mentorship program like ScienceFair.io’s A-Z Science Fair Program gives you expert guidance to maximize your chances of winning.
Conclusion
Winning at ASEF takes dedication, thorough research, and effective presentation. Follow these guidelines and put in consistent effort, and you’ll greatly improve your chances. Remember, the journey of scientific discovery is as valuable as the destination.
Good luck!
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