Press/Media
What is the Minnesota Academy of Science State Science & Engineering Fair and the North Central Regional Junior Science & Humanities Symposium?
The State Science & Engineering Fair is an annual event that showcases Minnesota's best and brightest students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math. It is the culmination of Regional MN Fairs occurring throughout the state. Participants in the State Science & Engineering Fair are Middle School or High School Students. Middle School Students may participate with a project, a research paper or both. High School Students may participate with a project. High School Students wishing to participate in a research paper competition participate in the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium.
From approximately 2,500 regional participants, 500 6th - 12th graders are selected to present at the State Science & Engineering Fair. At the fair, over 75 organizations and businesses present over 300 awards to students with outstanding projects.
More than a competition, the State Science & Engineering Fair champions young scientists' work throughout the year with teacher and mentor support and the opportunity to present and dialogue about their work. Students conduct their own original research and present it before a number of judges. They learn individually and from others by discussing the nature of the scientific inquiry, defending their reasoning, and articulating their specific findings orally and graphically with a display board. Students are evaluated on four criteria: the process of science; effectiveness of communication; context of the project and their scope of understanding.
About the MN Academy of Science - The Minnesota Academy of Science, founded in 1873, is a statewide organization committed to promoting interest in and appreciation of science. We do this by encouraging and facilitating excellence in science and science education at all levels, sponsoring programs and activities for science students, science teachers, scientists, and other interested adults.
Our programs are funded through Registration fees, Annual Membership dues, Corporate sponsors and grants, and donations from people like you. Our many programs consist of Team Competitions and individual paper and project competitions. Awards are given for all programs, and can include advancement to National competitions around the US.
Mission of MN Academy of Science: The mission of the Minnesota Academy of Science is to recognize, promote and influence excellence in science. Our goals are:
- to be inclusionary; programs are open to all qualified participants
- to promote excellence
- to be fair and ethical
- to provide leadership in the scientific community.