Welcome to our winter edition of the MSEF Insider.

As we settle into the new year, there’s a buzz of activity at MSEF, and we’re excited to share all the latest updates with you. In this issue, you’ll learn about the incredible momentum building for the 2025 Fair Season, including:

• Judge Sign-Up is Open: Be a part of shaping the next generation of STEM leaders by joining us as a science fair judge.
• Public Health Think Tank: A recap of this inspiring event, where students explored how public health intersects with their projects.
• Student visit to Moderna: Helping students bridge the gap between classroom and real-world opportunities
• What Students Are Doing Now: From paperwork to coaching sessions with mentors and pen pals, students are actively preparing for success.
• Upcoming Presentation Practice Sessions: Opportunities for students to sharpen their presentation skills.
• SRC Reviews in Full Swing: Ensuring projects meet the highest standards of safety and ethics.
• Alumni Connections: Highlights from a recent event bringing our MSEF alumni community together.

Though it may be cold outside, the dedication of our students, mentors, and supporters keeps the heart of MSEF glowing brightly.

Thank you for being part of this vibrant community and for helping to make a difference in the lives of young scientists and engineers!

BECOME A FAIR JUDGE

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for the 2025 Science & Engineering Fair season!

Judging is a chance to make a meaningful impact on students, offering them encouragement and inspiration as they share their research. For many students, presenting their projects to a STEM professional is a milestone experience that builds confidence and expands their view of what’s possible.

Jump over to scifair.com/judge where you can find full details, including:

• Requirements
• Dates and times
• FAQs
• Even a short video showcasing the judge experience!

A dedicated team of judges from MIT Lincoln Laboratories at the 2024 Middle School State Fair.

PUBLIC HEALTH THINK TANK

Last month MSEF hosted an inspiring Public Health Think Tank, offering students the chance to explore the fascinating intersections of public health with environmental science, data analysis, and community well-being.

Led by an expert in the field, the session helped students connect their projects to real-world issues and understand how to showcase the relevance and impact of their work to judges.



The Think Tank was open to all students, whether their projects were directly related to public health or they were simply curious to learn more about this influential field. It was a fantastic opportunity to spark curiosity and deepen understanding!

STUDENT VISIT TO MODERNA

Last month, we had the pleasure of facilitaing a visit to Moderna for over 20 students from East Boston High School! This thoughtfully planned visit gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the biotech industry and featured inspiring STEM journeys shared by Moderna professionals.

A special thank you to the dedicated teachers who accompanied the students. Your passion for foster a strong culture of curiosity and learning is truly inspiring!

Student visit to Moderna in Cambridge. Experiences like this spark curiosity and open doors to new possibilities in STEM for young minds.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

Since October students have been benefiting greatly from MSEF's mentoring programs, which include traditional one-on-one coaching as well as shorter-term penpal mentoring opportunities—each providing tailored guidance, encouragement, and invaluable feedback to help students refine their projects and grow as innovators.

Right now, all students are being encouraged to sign up for a Practice Presentation Sessions! These sessions are designed to help students refine their skills, receive valuable feedback, and prepare for judge-style questions.

Thank you to everyone who has been volunteering to support our students in these and many other ways.

PAPERWORK - Everyone's Favorite Thing!

Certainly not everyone’s favorite thing, but… paperwork and project approvals are essential for ensuring student safety and maintaining scientific integrity. They’re also a vital part of any scientific endeavor. The experience students gain navigating this necessary aspect of research will serve them well in the future—building both career and life skills.

Thank you to our wonderful Scientific Review Committee members! We encourage our students to think of the Scientific Review Committee as the protectors of safe and sound science!

ALUMNI EVENT

Last week, MSEF hosted a special alumni event that brought together past participants to reconnect, share experiences, and explore ways to support the next generation of student innovators. It was inspiring to see the full-circle moment as alumni expressed their desire to give back—whether as mentors, judges, or advocates for STEM education.

The event also served as a brainstorming session, generating ideas on how MSEF can continue to support our alumni in their personal and professional journeys. From networking opportunities to ongoing skill development, we’re committed to fostering a lifelong community that champions curiosity, innovation, and the spirit of giving back.

If you are an alum reading this, drop us a line at alumni@scifair.com and we will make sure you are in the loop on all things alumni!

From MSEF to Higher Ed: Suvin at Harvard, Ellia at Brown, and Albert at UMass Lowell.

Mary at UMass Lowell, Oge at Brown, and Lily at Adelphi.

Committed to driving impactful change, The ALKU Foundation fosters strategic collaborations with nonprofits throughout Massachusetts. They champion youth-focused initiatives and women-centric programs, prioritizing equity and societal progress.

We are immensly grateful for the support we recieve from you, The ALKU Foundation, thank you!

We’re delighted to share that Novartis US is once again supporting MSEF's Getting Science Fair Ready programming. At Novartis, they are pushing the boundaries of science to reimagine medicine and bring transformative innovation to patients. In support of this mission, they are commiteed to encouraging and supporting students seeking higher education with an emphasis on STEM initiatives.

Thank you, Novartis US, for your steadfast support!

We’re thrilled to announce that Sensata Technologies Foundation is continuing its support for MSEF's Getting Science Fair Ready program!

The Foundation's mission to empower the next generation of engineers and support communities where they live and work aligns perfectly with MSEF's works across the state.

We are so very grateful for the longstanding support we have recieved from you, Sensata Technologies Foundation, and honored to be included in your official Impact Report.

I hope your new year is off to a fantastic start and that you’ve enjoyed this first-of-the-year glimpse into the exciting things happening at MSEF.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of our incredible community!

Sarah Thomas

Development Manager

sthomas@scifair.com

What does a school and plant have in common?

STEM!

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Advancing science and engineering literacy since 1949, the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) was founded by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, MIT professors, and a group of pioneering K-12 science educators. 

MSEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. EIN (04-2707499)