How to Win the Capital Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF)

Here’s how to do well at the Capital Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) in Wisconsin and work your way toward the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). This guide covers the strategies and tips to maximize your chances. Dates and fees change year to year, so confirm the current details on the official CSEF page.

What is CSEF?

The Capital Science & Engineering Fair gives high school students from South Central Wisconsin and beyond the chance to present their research (grades 9-12, public, private, and home-school are eligible). It’s held each spring at the Engineering Centers Building, UW-Madison (1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI 53706). The fair builds enthusiasm for science and engineering research among Wisconsin students and offers a support system as they take part. Students submit a notice of interest in the fall (requested by mid-December), registration is typically due in mid-January, and safety forms by mid-February. Confirm the current dates on the official site.

Steps for registration and deadlines at CSEF

1. Fill out the online interest form by around mid-December (not a hard deadline).
2. Complete the CSEF registration form (on the official CSEF page) and pay the registration fee via Zelle to “608-262-1019” by around mid-January.
3. Complete the applicable ISEF forms for your project, found on the ISEF website. These can be combined with the registration forms into a single PDF and emailed to csef.madison@gmail.com, due by around mid-February.
4. Prepare your poster/display and present at CSEF at the Engineering Centers Building, UW-Madison.

Categories at CSEF

CSEF 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 CSEF

1. Use the resources from the CSEF website

These resources fit a traditional science and engineering fair best, though some work across different showcase formats:

• Rubrics, scoring, and judging support
• Overviews of events: timelines and packets outlining the process
• Student guidelines: display, rules, and safety
• Mentors and connections to STEM professionals
• Useful articles and research on science and engineering fairs

Rubrics, scoring, and judging support

• Project rubric example 1
• Project rubric example 2
• Annotated student paper: Purdue guidelines on formatting a research paper
• Letter to judges
• Judging considerations: advice to judges
• Score recording form for organizers
• Judge orientation slides

Overviews of events: timelines and packets

• Overview of logistical considerations
• Key questions when starting a fair
• Timeline idea
• Lodi student packet for their STEM/STEAM fair
• Details about ISEF: rules, abstracts, FAQs, and more

Student guidelines: displays, rules, and safety

• BSSEF student display and safety guidelines
• BSSEF junior high fair form with safety, integrity, and ethics guidelines
• ISEF project rules: more extensive than a local fair needs, but a useful starting point that applies to Wisconsin ISEF affiliate fairs like CSEF and BSSEF.

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:

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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.

Use rubric example 1 and rubric example 2 above to check your presentation against the judging criteria.

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.

Play

4. Conduct thorough research

Solid research is the backbone of any winning project. 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)

CSEF rewards a rigorous approach. Follow these steps to keep your project on track.

Scientific method:

1. Question: identify a problem that intrigues you.
2. Research: investigate what’s already known.
3. Hypothesis: form a testable prediction.
4. Experiment: test your hypothesis and collect data.
5. Analyze: interpret your data and see if it supports your hypothesis.
6. Conclusion: draw conclusions from your findings.

Engineering design process:

1. Define the problem: identify a need or challenge.
2. Research and design: explore possible solutions and design a prototype.
3. Test and evaluate: assess your prototype and make improvements.
4. 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 CSEF 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!