MINNESOTA STUDENTS SHOWCASE INNOVATION AT STATE SCIENCE FAIR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

[ST. PAUL, MN, March 7, 2024] - Over 300 Minnesota students will compete in the 87th annual Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) on March 22 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Participating students in grades 6-12 advanced from regional science fairs throughout Minnesota to compete in this prestigious science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) event. MSSEF is proudly organized by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS).

“Science Fair offers a critical opportunity for students to experience every step of the scientific process. As the culmination of their Regional Science Fair journey, this event brings students across the state together to recognize their accomplishments and to inspire future achievements,” says Elizabeth Buhmann, MSSEF Program Manager. “As STEM careers and their impacts grow in importance within our communities, research and communication skills gained through Science Fair are increasingly vital to ensuring that Minnesota students have the tools they need to pursue these STEM professions.”

During MSSEF, STEM professionals from some of Minnesota’s top companies serve as judges to determine award winners. “One of the most important and unique aspects of Science Fair is the interaction between students and judges,” says Lara Maupin, MAS Executive Director. “When students share their projects with working scientists and engineers, they get a lot of validation, which motivates them to keep looking for solutions to questions they care about. In the end, we all benefit when that happens.” 

Science Fair projects will be open for a public viewing on March 22 from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Dozens of companies and organizations, including Medtronic, Ecolab, and the Broadcom Foundation, give awards valued at more than $15,000. MAS will announce several top awards during an awards reception at the RiverCentre on March 22. The rest of the awards will be presented during a live virtual awards ceremony on March 24 at 2:00 pm. All award results will be posted at mnmas.org following the awards ceremony.

The most valuable prize remains the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Award, recognizing up to four 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 Los Angeles, CA, from May 11-17.

The Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair is a program of the Minnesota Academy of Science. Medtronic is the event’s premier sponsor. Additional support comes from the Alliance for Volunteer Advancement / Americorps Volunteer Generation Fund, Minnesota Department of Education, Ecolab, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Broadcom Foundation, Hardenbergh Foundation, and H.B. Fuller.