Why Should My Students Participate?
Students should participate in science and engineering fairs because it encourages creativity and ingenuity and promotes an inquiry-based approach to learning. Students develop a question, conduct research, analyze data, and share findings. It is an effective way to engage students in applying their knowledge of the scientific method, while further developing skills in areas of literacy, mathematics, and communications. It also promotes positive attitudes towards science and demonstrates to students the relevance of science and research. And if you are still not convinced… it’s also a lot of fun!
All high school students attending private, public, charter, parochial, or home schools in King or Snohomish County are eligible to participate in the fair. A maximum of 50 projects will be accepted from each school. Students must first compete in the CSRSEF in order to be eligible for the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair.
Rules and Guidelines
The CSRSEF rules and guidelines are the same as the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair’s (ISEF) standards. Check out the ISEF Rules & Guidelines to learn more.
Science projects should be hypothesis-based and follow the scientific method. Engineering projects should have engineering goals and produce a product. For more information on how to differentiate between Science Research and Non-Inquiry based Research, check out the Official 2012 CSRSEF Project Guide or Intel’s Student Handbook.
Many class assignments, senior projects, summer research projects, and displays created for other science competitions can be entered into the fair with minimal changes. Check out ISEF Rules & Guidelines to determine if a project is eligible.
All students must register online and mail the required forms to the CSRSEF director on or before February 27, 2013. Late entries will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
The CSRSEF offers teacher information sessions free of charge to high schools in King and Snohomish counties. Presentations run from 45 minutes to an hour and can be scheduled during the school week or on a Saturday. To schedule a presentation at your school or district, please contact the CSRSEF Director.
In addition to encouraging your students to participate in the fair, teachers can get involved in the following ways:
- Field Trips: Plan a field trip to the CSRSEF on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Public viewing hours are from 1-3pm.
- Be a Judge: Volunteering as a judge is a great way to learn more about the science and engineering fair process.
The compete fair schedule and driving directions to Bellevue College can be found on our Schedule page.