TOP MINNESOTA STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN STATE SCIENCE FAIR
300+ students advance to present original STEM research and compete for awards 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

[ST. PAUL, MN, March 14, 2022] - More than 300 Minnesota students will compete in the 85th annual Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) from March 20-31. Participating students in grades 6-12 advanced from regional science fairs throughout the state to compete at the state level. Project judging will take place virtually and conclude with an interactive in-person event hosted by the Science Museum of Minnesota on March 31. MSSEF is run by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS).

“Students continue to amaze us with their creative approaches regarding important scientific and engineering topics,” said MAS Director of Community Outreach Sara Gomez. “Each of these projects encompasses a wealth of knowledge acquired over months--and sometimes even years--of diligent research.” The theme of this year’s event is Always curious. Always learning. Always growing. MSSEF projects encompass a wide breadth of scientific inquiry, from measuring nutrition in popular snacks to investigating the relationship between lung capacity and age. 

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals from some of Minnesota’s top companies review student videos and abstracts to provide feedback and determine award winners. Dozens of companies and organizations, including Seagate, Ecolab, 3M, and the Broadcom Foundation give awards valued at over $15,000. MAS will announce the top winners during a live virtual awards ceremony on March 30. The ceremony will feature a keynote address from Dr. Nisha Botchwey, dean of the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. All award results will be posted at mnmas.org after the awards ceremony.

The most valuable prize remains the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Award, recognizing up to five of the top high school projects. ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, where nearly 2,000 students from around the world showcase their research. This year’s ISEF competition will be held in Atlanta May 7-13, 2022.

The Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair is a program of the Minnesota Academy of Science. Seagate Technology remains the event’s premier sponsor. Additional support comes from the Minnesota Department of Education, Ecolab, Broadcom Foundation, General Mills, and the Hardenbergh Foundation.