Middle School

Teacher Newsletter

Resources to support student projects

We understand that starting a project can be the most challenging phase of the science & engineering fair process - for both students and teachers!

How do you help students find project ideas they are interested in that are also robust, feasible for independent work with the time, materials, and experience they have available to them, and ideally fit with your classroom objectives?

We have a range of tools and resources that may help.

Engineering Design Process Handbook

contains step-by-step instructions and recommendations for engineering projects. Share with students or use to guide your own planning.

Engineering Design Handbook

Science Research Process Handbook provides guidance and lessons for a range of science based projects. Use with your students directly or as reference for your planning.

Science Research Handbook

Use the BUILDING CURIOSITY activity sheet over several days or weeks along with class assignments. Students can use activities, videos, or readings to explore one or more ideas. They can share ideas with each other which can inspire collaboration. Students should pick one questions that they want to dig into further.

Use the BUILDING BLOCKS activity to help students think through the three foundational areas of a strong project idea.

A strong project will need a big idea, a tool or skill they want to use, and an idea of what procedure they'll need to follow. This worksheet may help them connect the dots.

A positive science fair experience starts with a strong PROJECT PLAN. Students can start drafting their project plan using the paperwork packet below.

The more detail students put in their paperwork now the smoother the approval process will be and the more prepared they will be for their project. Remind students that filling out paperwork and planning ahead are key components of work in STEM.

Students should include the where, how, when and with whom where applicable.

Details are especially important for:

Sample collection
Disposal of materials, devices, or organisms
Tool or equipment use
Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Middle School MAMS Paperwork Packet

Steps for Participation

Step 1 - Getting Started: Review the rules and plan out your paperwork. Download the paperwork packet below (coming soon) of required paperwork for ALL projects. The 2024-25 Middle School Manual provides more information on process, eligibility, and rules.

Step 2 - Planning: Create your research plan, collect approvals, and submit HERE for review. This is the step where you create an account at MAMS.zfairs.com.

Step 3 - Project Work: At this step, you will only interact with zFairs if you need to make an update to your project plan for reapproval.

Step 4 - Fair Specific Details: Dates and event sites for your regional fair can be found below. Teachers and students should commicate directly with the fair organizers for event specific questions.

Science Fair Ready Middle School FAQs

MAMS.zfairs.com

FAIR DATES, DEADLINES, AND DETAILS

2025 Middle School Regional Fairs

Projects should be uploaded and 'marked ready' no later than 1 month before fair date.

Region 1 : April 16 at Mass College of Liberal Arts

Region 2 : April 30 at Worcester State University (NEW Location!)

Region 3 : March 1 at Bristol CC at Fall River

Region 4 : April 12 at UMASS Lowell

Region 5 : March 22 at Regis College

Region 6 : March 8 at Roxbury Community College

2025 Middle School State Fair:

May 10 at Clark University, Worcester (NEW Location!)

Judging & Award Ceremony

All projects must have been approved for regional fair participation to be eligible for the State Fair. See dates and details above.

FOLLOW DEADLINES

Paperwork can be submitted on a rolling basis for review and approval. Submit when you are ready and before experimentation. Finish your submission within TWO WEEKS of creating your account in zFairs.
Projects in restricted areas (human subjects, vertebrate animal observations, hazardous chemicals, or biohazards) must be submitted before experimentation for approval.
Paperwork that is submitted at the deadline and/or is incomplete may not be approved in time for experimentation.
Teachers must ‘MARK READY’ in the zFairs platform (Paperwork > Review) to signal that project paperwork is ready for review.
Projects must be 'marked ready' 1 month before your regional fair.
Region 1 deadline March 16
Region 2 deadline is March 30
Region 3 deadline is February 1
Region 4 deadline is March 12
Region 5 deadline is February 22
Region 6 deadline is February 8
Schools with a large number of projects can contact us for tips on streamlining the process, or schedule an appt using the link below. We're here to help.

FAIR PARTICIPATION

Deadline to notify the region of student participation is 10 days before the regional fair. Go to your regional zFairs site linked above for information.

Once MSEF receives a list of competing projects from your Regional Chair, we will promote approved projects to the appropriate Regional zFairs page so projects are ready for judging.

The top projects from each regional fair automatically qualify for the State Fair. Schools can also choose two additional projects to promote to the State Fair through 'direct entry'. More information to follow.

Resources and Opportunities

Join the Science Fair Ready Network to stay up to date on information and opportunities. Join our teacher-only Facebook group.
Encourage students to sign up for our newsletter here or follow us on Instagram at @MassScienceFair.
Let me know if you'd like help connecting to your regional fair contacts about the event or local opportunities. All the regional fair dates and contacts can be found at MAMS.zfairs.com.
You can book an appt with me to plan for the year.
We'd love to visit your school or district fair! Please invite us.

We can't wait to connect with you.

Rebekah Stendahl

Program Director

rstendahl@scifair.com

Book with me

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.

Donate

Massachusetts Science + Engineering Fair | scifair.com