Here is how to do well at the University of Utah Science & Engineering Fair (USEF) and work toward the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Doing well at USEF can be a significant achievement for an aspiring scientist. This guide covers the strategies and tips to give you the best shot.
What is USEF?
The University of Utah Science & Engineering Fair (USEF) is an annual science and engineering competition for students in grades 5-12. Taking part builds interest in science and technology while developing communication, decision-making, evaluation of alternatives, and critical thinking.
Why Compete?
Competing in a science fair builds confidence, challenges your potential, and gives you a real sense of independent achievement.
Science fair projects can pay off in cash and open doors. Senior division grand prize winners get the chance to compete for additional awards and scholarships at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
Projects judged worthy of international competition are evaluated by some of the top scientists in the world. Imagine discussing your project with a Nobel Prize winner.
Categories for USEF
- Life Sciences
- Animal Sciences: Investigate animal behavior, genetics, and ecology.
- Cellular Studies: Explore cellular processes and functions.
- Ecology: Examine interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Genetics: Investigate heredity and genetic variations.
- Physiology: Study bodily functions and systems.
- Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Cognitive Psychology: Explore memory, perception, and decision-making.
- Sociology: Analyze social interactions and group dynamics.
- Biochemistry
- Medicinal Biochemistry: Focus on drug development and interactions.
- Structural Biochemistry: Study the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules.
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Climate Science: Investigate climate change and its effects.
- Water Science: Focus on water quality, availability, and conservation.
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology: Study bacteria and their roles.
- Virology: Investigate viruses and their behavior.
- Physical Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering: Apply engineering principles to healthcare.
- Biomedical Devices: Design medical devices for innovative treatments.
Winning Tips for USEF
1. Use the Resources from the USEF Website
USEF’s resource center has a lot of useful pages:
- Technology
- Regional Fairs
- Project Abstracts
- How Projects are Judged
- Research Categories
- Why Compete?
- The Scientific Method
- Project Examples
- General Rules
- Keeping a Notebook
- Scientific Review Committee
- Tips & Advice
- Project Development
2. Choose a Strong Research Idea
Pick a topic you’re genuinely interested in. 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 the concept is both novel and feasible.
Look at the Project Examples for a sampling of student projects on different themes.
Developing a strong research idea is 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 for USEF
Your presentation is your chance to make an impression. 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 in your explanations.
- Show enthusiasm for your project.
- Anticipate likely questions and prepare answers.
- Use visual aids effectively.
Here are a few guidelines for how to think through and run a science fair project.
Problem Statement
Pick your topic and get a sense of what you want to study. Ideas can come from hobbies or problems you see that need solutions. Because your time and resources are limited, you may want to study only one or two specific events. Write down your problem statement concisely, along with what solutions or insights your knowledge invites. Consider what the solution might be.
Research Your Topic
Go to the library or online and learn everything you can about your topic. Observe related events and gather existing information. Look for unexplained or unexpected results. Talk to professionals in the field, email companies for specific information, and obtain or build the equipment you need.
Organize and Plan
Organize everything you’ve learned, then narrow your thinking to a particular idea. Your background research should help. Think about what you hope to show, how you’ll do it, what you need, what might go wrong, and where you can get help. Outline these key issues to guide you, and be ready to adapt.
For more tips and tricks
Visit the Project Development resource on the website.
If you want a great guide to building a science fair poster that impresses the judges, watch this video. It offers insights from Rishab Jain, Harvard student and ISEF winner.
4. Project Judging
Each project is judged on its own merits, according to the following criteria:
- Project objectives or problem statement
- Design and procedures
- Data and results
- Discussion and conclusions
- Interview and display
- Teamwork (for team projects)
When scoring, judges rely on the project board, project notebooks (required for Junior & Senior Divisions, optional for Elementary Division), and other items on display, but most importantly on the student interview.
Each judge assigns a raw score (1 to 100) to each assigned project. All judges have some natural bias, and some score higher or lower than others on the same project in a category.
5. 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 the context and background of your topic.
- Use reputable sources: rely on scientific journals, academic books, and trusted online resources.
- Data collection: use reliable, valid methods, and make sure your data is sufficient to support your conclusions.
- Analysis: analyze your data using appropriate statistical or qualitative methods, and be ready to explain your analysis clearly.
Mastering the Scientific Method (or Engineering Design Process)
USEF emphasizes a rigorous approach. Follow these steps to keep your project on track.
Scientific Method
- Question: Identify a problem that intrigues you.
- Research: Investigate existing knowledge on the topic.
- Hypothesis: Formulate a testable prediction.
- Experiment: Conduct an experiment to test your hypothesis and collect data.
- Analyze: Interpret your data and determine if it supports your hypothesis.
- Conclusion: Draw conclusions based on 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.
6. Seek Mentorship
A mentor can give you valuable guidance and insight. They can help you refine your research question, troubleshoot experiments, and prepare your presentation. The right mentor can be a game-changer thanks to their experience and advice.
Finding the right mentor is key, which is why a mentorship program like ScienceFair.io’s A-Z Science Fair Program can help you get expert guidance and improve your chances of winning.
Conclusion
Doing well at USEF takes dedication, thorough research, and strong presentation skills. Follow these guidelines and put in consistent effort, and you’ll meaningfully improve your chances. Remember, the journey of scientific discovery is as valuable as the destination.
Good luck!
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