How to Win the Illinois Junior Academy of Science(IJAS) State Fair

The Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Fair is Illinois’s state-level science fair. Placing well is a real credential for a young researcher. This guide covers how to give yourself the best shot.

1. Use the IJAS resources

If it’s your first science fair, the process can feel like a lot. It doesn’t have to. IJAS publishes short how-to videos that walk through each part of an experimental or design project, all on the students page of its website.

General how-to videos

These cover parts of the project that apply to both experimental and design projects, plus other parts of the IJAS expositions like being a runner, judging, and special awards.

• Comparison of Design and Experimental
• Background Research and Citations
• Choosing a Topic
• Statistics
• Safety and Endorsements
• Excel and Google Sheets
• Comparison of Paper Session and Poster Session
• Creating a Poster

Experimental projects

A full written explanation of experimental projects is on pages 13-14 of the Policy and Procedure Manual, and pages 26-27 cover how to physically lay out the paper. Each project also needs an Abstract, a Safety Sheet, and any other required endorsements, which you’ll find on the students page. The how-to videos below walk through each piece:

• Purpose
• Hypothesis
• Materials and Procedure
• Conclusion (Experimental)
• Constructing the Report (Experimental)

Design projects

A written guide for design projects is on page 15 of the Policy and Procedure Manual, which also has the full list of rules to follow. Pages 27-28 cover how to lay out the design paper. As with experimental projects, you’ll need an Abstract, a Safety Sheet, and any required endorsements, all on the students page. The how-to videos below cover the design-specific parts:

• Prototype Redesign
• Conclusion (Design)
• Constructing the Report (Design)

2. Choose a strong research idea

Pick a topic you’re genuinely interested in. The best projects are original, tackle a real-world problem, and show you can think like a scientist.

Look at current problems, gaps in existing research, or new takes on common issues. Once you have a rough idea, do some background reading to check it’s both original and doable before you commit.

Coming up with an idea is the hard part. In this video, Rishab walks through how to find a good STEM project idea, step by step:

Play

3. Prepare your presentation

The presentation is where judges meet your work. Build a clear display board that lays out your research question, method, results, and conclusion.

Then practise the oral part a lot:

• Keep your explanations clear and short.
• Show that you care about the project.
• Anticipate the questions judges will ask and prepare answers.
• Use your visuals to support what you’re saying.

4. Do thorough research

Solid research is what separates a winning project from an average one. A few basics:

• Literature review: start by reading existing studies to understand the background of your topic.
• Reputable sources: rely on scientific journals, academic books, and trusted online resources.
• Data collection: use reliable, valid methods, and gather enough data to support your conclusions.
• Analysis: use appropriate statistical or qualitative methods, and be ready to explain your analysis clearly.

5. Find a mentor

A mentor can help you refine your research question, troubleshoot experiments, and prepare your presentation. Their experience saves you from a lot of dead ends.

If you want structured guidance, ScienceFair.io’s A-Z Science Fair Program pairs you with expert mentors to help you prepare.

The bottom line

Winning the IJAS State Fair comes down to thorough research, a clear presentation, and consistent effort. Follow these steps and put in the work, and you’ll be in good shape. Good luck.