1. Verify student eligibility and status.
Your T3SEF students should be in grades 5-12, and attend school in (NY) Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua or (PA) McKean, Potter and Warren counties. Younger students may use the Math Placement Tool if they wish to be considered for early acceptance.
Students may participate in either of two Divisions:
- Topic Presentations (TOPIC): TOPIC students (Grades 5-12) present to judges about a science, technology, engineering or mathematics topic. They do not conduct an experiment, use no engineering design, and do not collect any data. They may make a model and run it, but they have not improved it.
- Research / Engineering Design (RED): RED students conduct an experiment or complete an engineering project (Junior Level grades 5-8; Senior Level grades 9-12). All RED Students must complete and get signatures on safety-related paperwork. Double checking students’ paperwork is one of the Sponsor’s most important roles. Contact our SRC Chair with questions concerning dates of supervision, etc.
2. Register as a Teacher.
In zFairs, "teacher" is the label for the sponsoring adult, whether a classroom teacher, parent, mentor or youth leader. If you have not registered yet, go to Create an Account.
A Reminder to Science Fair Adults
Adults should not conduct the experiments,
or do any part of the projects, papers, or displays (unless safety requires!)
We are guides & supporters -
signers of paperwork, monitors for safety issues,
drivers, and sometimes photographers or proof readers.
3. Paying for Your Student's Project.
To Pay for your students registration via Credit, Debit or PayPal - please use the PayPal Link (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HYY8BDG2YCXDA)
If you are paying by Check, please make checks payable to Terra Science & Education (include TTRSF and your student's names on the memo line) and mail to:
Terra Fairs c/o Karen Valentino
835 West Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
Once you've registered, you shift to monitor mode ...
4. Double check project safety and required paperwork.
Review the Student Info and Registration page in detail!
Topic Presenters (Grades 5-12) – Remember, TOPIC students have done NO experiment or design work; they have collected NO data.
- Online student registration here in zFairs
- Topic Presenter Guide and Adult Checklist Terra Safety and Permission Form.pdf
- Registration Fee: $10/student
- Registration Deadline: Feb.4
Junior Research / Engineering Design (RED) Students (Grades 5-8)
- Online student registration here in zFairs
- Junior Level RED Guide and Adult Checklist Terra Safety and Permission Form.pdf
- Registration Fee: $10/student
- Registration Deadline: Feb. 4
If a Junior RED project involves any of the following, these additional forms will be required: Project Plan (experimental procedure), Surveys (if applicable), Written parental permission of any human subjects under age 18. Contact our SRC Chair for more information.
- Human subjects, including surveys
- Non-human vertebrate animals
- Pathogens, controlled substances, recombinant DNA
- Human and/or animal tissue
- Hazardous substances
Senior Research / Engineering Design (RED) Students (Grades 9-12)
- Online student registration here at zFairs
- SRC paperwork as required by International Science and Engineering Fair (Rules Wizard to download forms).
Sponsors, PLEASE be sure to review the SRC paperwork carefully with your student(s). ISEF provides a detailed guide to its paperwork, which will answer many questions.
- Senior RED Media Release TerraFairs_MediaRelease.pdf
- Registration Fee: $10/student
- Registration Deadline: Feb. 4
FYI:
** SRC = Scientific Review Committee, the team of specialists ensuring the safety and quality of research presented at any internationally-affiliated fair. They determine whether a student’s work is safe and appropriate.
** Judging will be take place on March 26. If virtual a schedule will be announce in early March.
** Awards Ceremony will be in April, more information to follow.
Yours is an essential role in the science fair process. As you guide and support a student’s project, you show that scientific experiments and problem solving are an important part of everyday life.
One last reminder: To prepare a science fair project, students go through several steps. You may help your students to plan ahead and set deadlines for each step. You may walk your students through the process of making projects more manageable and less frustrating by breaking the process down into smaller steps. However, the process is most successful if you are not a drill sergeant with constant reminders and nags.
Invitation to all Fair-related adults
You are welcome to volunteer on the Fair Committee or serve as a judge - go to the tab at the top of the page!