BY BRANDIE ERICKSON, MOONPREP*
Science fairs offer a platform for students to study any topic they are interested in and present their findings to an audience. They are a fantastic opportunity for high school students to explore their scientific interests and showcase their ideas. These events allow students to demonstrate their commitment to advancing the scientific field and make them more competitive in the college and combined medical program admissions process.
Benefits Of Participation
Participating in a science fair is not just about the competition, but the long-term benefits. It allows students to brainstorm and implement their novel solutions to real-world problems. They design experiments, learn lab techniques and develop inventions or produce results that can lead to significant discoveries. From the start of the process to the end, it is a rigorous but gratifying activity that will lead to bonding with peers, learning a new field and creating an impact. Whether they are interested in biology, chemistry, physics or engineering, students can use these fairs to explore subjects beyond the standard curriculum of their high schools and gain hands-on experience in research and innovation.
Impact On College Applications
Excelling at science fair competitions can also substantially boost college and combined medical program applications. Admissions officers look for students who have demonstrated a passion for science and can independently work on a project, such as scientific research. A winning project at a science fair can highlight a student’s dedication and curiosity, making them stand out in the competitive admissions pool.
Upcoming Science Fairs
Participating in a science fair involves advanced planning and staying up-to-date with their deadlines is essential. Here are some science fairs that offer students a chance to showcase their scientific talents.
Davidson Fellows
Location: Washington, D.C.
Dates: Summer
Registration deadline: January/February
Cost: None
Age requirements: Must be less than 18 years old
Team sizes: No more than two people
Prizes and awards: $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000 scholarship
Overview: Project categories include Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. The scholarships are awarded to pieces of significant work, which includes a creative application of existing knowledge, an innovation, a prodigious performance or another demonstration of a prodigious accomplishment.
Odyssey of the Mind
Location: Varies by association area
Dates: Varies by association area
Registration deadline: December/January
Cost: $290 for standard membership and an additional $190 for a second team within the same school
Age requirements: Grades 6-8 (less than 15 years old) for Division II and grades 9-12 for Division III
Team sizes: Up to seven people (no minimum)
Prizes and awards: Place awards, Creativity award, Role Model award and Spirit award
Overview: This is a problem-solving competition with five problem categories: Vehicle (students build an efficient and powered vehicle), Technology (students create an innovative device), Classics (students present a piece of literature), Structure (students build a wood and glue structure) and Performance (students showcase a performance). Each team must have a coach, and each team must compete with its local association group. There is a regional, state and world finals level.
Regeneron ISEF
Location: Varies by area
Dates: Varies by area
Registration deadline: October
Cost: $800 for 1-3 projects and incremental increases for additional projects
Age requirements: Grades 9-12 and under 20 years old
Team sizes: Individual competition
Prizes and awards: One $75,000 award, two $50,000 awards and three $10,000 awards
Overview: Categories include behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental sciences, technology, mathematics, physics, robotics and software. Students must first compete in the local, regional and state fairs to participate in the final competition with the grand awards. Projects must be completed within 12 months of research.
Regeneron Science Talent Search
Location: Varies by area
Dates: Varies by area
Registration deadline: November
Cost: Free
Age requirements: Attending last year of secondary school
Team sizes: Individual competition
Prizes and awards: Three hundred $2,000 awards and a top award of $250,000
Overview: Students will submit essay questions, a maximum of 20 pages of original scientific paper, recommendations, transcripts and optional test scores. The top 40 participants are invited to the final competition in Washington, DC.
MIT Think Scholars Program
Location: MIT’s campus
Dates: February to June
Registration deadline: November
Cost: Free
Age requirements: High school student
Team sizes: Up to two people
Prizes and awards: $1,000 in funding for the project and an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT’s campus.
Overview: This program is unique because instead of requiring the student to have a fully fleshed-out science fair project, they are looking for a 10-page research proposal, including necessary procedures. Semifinalists are interviewed, and MIT professors provide mentorship to carry out the project if selected as finalists.
*Brandie is a College Counselor & Outreach Coordinator at MoonPrep.
