Science Fair

Letter to Teachers

The Science Fair began 40 years ago at Mineral Area College...

...under the leadership of several area high school teachers and the MAC science department. The categories and rules were developed at that time . Below are some reminders that may assist you in your planning.

New this year is a change in location. The event will take place in the new Industry and Technology Center (MacTech building) instead of the Fieldhouse. Teachers should plan for students to either walk to the cafeteria or bring lunches.
Just like last year, the Fair will be held on a Friday instead of a Saturday.
Just like last year’s Fair, there is not a $5.00 entry fee. Mineral Area College will pick up the cost of this fee that pays for the science fair T-shirts and certificates for students attending the Fair.
The fair was begun by the Math-Science Department, which split into two departments many years ago. The fair continues to involve the disciplines of psychology, math, and computer science under the heading of Science Fair. But we have minimized the categories to Chemistry, Product Testing, Engineering/Physics/Math, Natural Science, and Behavioral Science.
Be aware that students will be asked to remove their projects from the fair if the project is determined to be unsafe to the fair participants.

Changes implemented at the 2007 fair that will continue this year:

All Science Fair submissions must use the Google Form that can be accessed by clicking here: Science Fair Submission Form.
Submissions are due by March 28, 2025.
Sixth Grade Teachers will no longer be restricted to one entry per category.
Because of safety concerns, experiments involving the use of explosive materials such as potato guns will not be allowed.
Absolutely no experiments may involve exposure of vertebrate embryos to teratogenic or toxic chemicals.
If only three students are in a category, they will each receive either a first, second or third place ribbon.
There will be a hospitality room once again for the sponsoring teachers. We will offer cookies, coffee and a private place to talk with your colleagues.

Feel free to call if you have any questions or trouble with any of the links. Thank you again for taking your time and energy to encourage these students to pursue academic competitions. I know that it is always above and beyond your normal teaching duties but not necessarily rewarded. We hope you are interested in joining us this year for the 40th Annual Science Fair at Mineral Area College!

Sincerely,
Jodi Dillon

Mineral Area College
Jodi Dillon
Science Fair Coordinator
P.O. Box 1000
Park Hills, MO. 63601
(573) 518-3824
jdillon@MineralArea.edu

Schedule of Events

7:30-9:30 am

Students may set up their projects. Projects are to remain on display until after the awards assembly.

MAC bookstore will be open 7:30 am if you need supplies, and a small mobile store will be at the MACTech. Cardinal’s Nest Café will be open 8:00 am for the purchase of food.

Projects must be set-up in ITC Innovation Bay and the students with their display by 9:30. Chairs will be available, but students might want to stand when the judges interview them about their project.

8:30-9:30 am

Judges meet in the judging area in ITC Room 521. Breakfast served for judges.

8:00-11:00 am

Hospitality Room for Sponsoring Teachers is in ITC Room 523. Coffee and cookies are provided.

9:30-11:30 am

Judging of Projects. Students must be with their projects for judging.

11:30 am -12:30 pm

Judging will be stopped for lunch (lunch provided for judges).

Participants must return to their projects by 12:30.

Cardinal’s Nest Café will be open on the main campus.

12:30-1:30 pm

Judging resumes. Students must be with their projects for judging.

1:30-2:30 pm

Projects open to the public.

2:30 pm

Awards Assembly in the ITC Cardinal Center.

2:30-3:30 pm

All projects must be removed by 3:30.

Thank you for coming to the 40th Science Fair at Mineral Area College. We know how much effort is involved for the participants, sponsoring teachers, and parents. We appreciate your participation and hope you will return next year.

“Understanding science is the key to our future”

Judging Criteria

Creative Ability (30 points)

A. How much of the work appears to show originality of approach and handling?
B. Was there ingenious use of the materials?
C. If a collection, is it purposeful?

Scientific Thought (30 points)

A. Does the exhibit show organized procedures?
B. Are observations accurate?
C. Was there a “control group” in the experiment?
D. Is there verification of a scientific theory?
E. Does it explain a “cause and effect” relationship?

Thoroughness (15 points)

A. How completely is this story told?
B. Have several sources of information been used? Stepbystep detail of construction is not necessary for full point value.

Skill (15 points)

A. Is the workmanship of good quality?
B. Will the exhibit demand frequent repairs?
C. Will the exhibit demand constant attention?
D. In collection, is the display skillfully displayed to show important points?

Clarity and Dramatic Value (15 points)

A. Will the average person understand what is being displayed?
B. Are there misspelled words, poor grammar?
C. Are there mislabeled materials or insufficient guide marks for the observer?
D. Are descriptions too brief or too lengthy?
E. Will spectator attention progress sensibly through the display?
F. Is this display more attractive than others in the display?
G. Are the sight, sound, smell, and/or touch of the display (at the display) at the correct intensity?
H. Are there devices, gadgets, etc., which do not serve a purpose?

For a full copy of the scoring sheet, click here.

Safety Rules

Research Projects

A finalist may enter only one research project and it must be the student’s own work. Group research is accepted at the Mineral Area College Science Fair; however, a maximum of two students per research project is allowed.

The identical repetition of a previous year’s work is not permitted. However, a finalist may again exhibit research on a continuing problem provided the research shows significant progress when compared with the previous year.

Size

Exhibit size is limited to 76 cm deep (front to back), 122 cm wide (side to side), and 274 cm high (floor to top). Tables are 76 cm high. Any exhibit exceeding these dimensions will be disqualified at the Mineral Area College Science Fair.

Written Material

A paper describing the research, notebooks, computer programs, or other relevant written materials are encouraged and may be displayed.

Animal Displays (vertebrate or invertebrate)

No live animals or microbes, preserved vertebrate animals or parts including embryos, may be exhibited at the Mineral Area College Science Fair. Research involving the use of animals or microbes may display drawings, photographs, charts, or graphs to illustrate the conditions, developments, and results of the investigations. Absolutely no experiments may involve exposure of vertebrate embryos to teratogenic or toxic chemicals. Sealed insect collections will be permitted on display. Photographs and other visual presentations of surgical techniques, dissection, autopsies, and/or other laboratory techniques depicting vertebrate animals in other than normal conditions may not be displayed on the student’s exhibit but may be contained in an accompanying notebook or shown during judging.

Human Tissue

The exhibition of human parts is prohibited except: teeth, hair, nails, histological sections, and liquid tissue slides properly acquired.

Power

Normally, 110-volt AC, single-phase service with 500 watts per exhibit will be available. Overhead lighting of the exhibit hall is excellent, and except for any highlighting that a finalist may desire, general illumination is unnecessary.

Exhibitors will furnish their own grounded electrical extension cords as necessary to reach power connections.

Assembly

Each finalist must assemble their exhibit without major outside help, except for transportation and unpacking.

Safety

Anything which could be hazardous to public display is PROHIBITED:

Live disease-causing organisms which are pathogenic to man or other vertebrates.
Microbial cultures and fungi, live or dead.
Any flames, open or concealed.
Highly flammable display materials.
Dangerous chemicals including caustics and acids.
Highly combustible solids, fluids, or gases. Inert substitutes must be used if such materials are required for the display.
Tanks that have contained combustible gases, including butane and propane, unless they’ve been purged with carbon dioxide.
Any drug listed under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, Public Law 91-513, 91st Congress, H.R. 18533, Oct. 27, 1970, as amended.
Operation of a Class III or IV Laser.
Experiments involving the use of explosive materials. For example, experiments involving potato guns will not be allowed.

Proper attention to safety is expected of all Science Fair participants, including compliance with the following requirements for all operating exhibits:

Any exhibit producing temperatures exceeding 100EC (212EF) must be adequately insulated from its surroundings.
Batteries with open-top cells are not permitted. Other types of batteries may be used for electric power.
High-voltage equipment must be shielded with a grounded metal box or cage to prevent accidental contact.
Large vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices must be properly shielded.
High voltage wiring, switches, and metal parts must be located out of reach of observers and designed with an adequate overload safety factor.
Electric circuits for 110-volt AC must have an Underwriters Laboratories-approved cord of proper load-carrying capacity, which is at least six feet long and equipped with a standard grounded plug.
All wiring must be properly insulated. Nails, tacks, or uninsulated staples must not be used to fasten wiring.
Bare wire and exposed knife switches may be used only on circuits of 12 volts or less; otherwise standard enclosed switches are required.
Electrical connections in 110-volt circuits must be soldered or fixed under approved connectors and connecting wires properly insulated.
Safety precautions for substances in the American Chemical Society (1155 - 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036), booklet “A Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories”.

Each research exhibit will be examined to ensure that it conforms to the MACSF Rules for display size, quarantine, safety, animal research, human subjects, and recombinant DNA. Exhibitors not conforming will be disqualified, and the exhibit must be removed. No changes, modifications, or additions to exhibits may be made after approval by the Display and Safety Committee and the Scientific Review Committee.