Community Education - Rochester, Minnesota

67th Annual Rochester Regional STEM Fair

The STEM Fair is an event where students showcase science and engineering projects. Prior to the event, students find a question or problem that interests them. They build prototypes or conduct experiments, sharing what they learned with their peers. Students can win awards based on the quality of their projects and presentations.

Registration

Complete both steps. Very Important!

1. Register through Community Education. You're in the right place! Click the "Enroll Now" button labeled "Students."
2. Create a free ZFairs account. This is needed to process paperwork related to your project.

If you are under 16, you may be prompted to have a parent/guardian register for you. If you are over 16, you may register yourself.

Volunteers Needed!

We need the help of more than 150 judges and other volunteers to make the STEM Fair possible. To indicate that you are interested, please click the "Enroll Now" button below labeled "Adult Volunteers." If you are unsure about your availability, please complete the form and select "unsure" when asked about your availability. We will follow up with you closer to the event.

Past volunteers tell us that they LOVE seeing student projects and giving meaninful encouragement. It is not necessary to hold a certain degree to become a judge. Anyone with a professional background in a field related to Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) is welcome. You will be assigned to projects most closely related to your background.

Important Dates

• September 23, 2024
  
  • Registration opens
• October 12, 2024
  
  • STEM Fair Social for students in grades 8-12
• October and November, 2024
  
  • Scientific Review Committee (SRC) meetings for projects that require safety review
    
    • October 12, 1-5 PM (In person at the STEM Fair Social at One Discovery Square. )
    • October 23, 5:30-7:00 PM (In person at Northrop Community Education Center)
    • November 6, 5:30-7:00 PM (Virtual, meet.google.com/hnv-jxcy-epz)
    • November 20, 5:30-7:00 PM (In person at Northrop Community Education Center)
• January 1, 2025
  • Registration Deadline: Register on Community Education website, pay $20 registration fee, and receive a display board at no additional cost.
• January 17, 2025
  • Late Registration Deadline: Register on Community Education website, pay $20 registration fee. Students who register late must supply their own display board.
    
    • Deadline to upload all ISEF paperwork into zFairs
    • All data must be collected before this date.
    • This is the final date that can be listed as a project end date in ISEF paperwork
    • High school students must submit all necessary paperwork by this date to be eligible to attend ISEF.
• January 31, 2025
  
  • zFairs is "frozen." No changes can be made by students in zFairs after this date
• February 14, 2025
  
  • Deadline to upload video presentations into zFairs
• March 4, 2025
  
  • Awards Ceremony
  • 6:00-7:30 PM
  • At Dakota Middle School
• February 28, 2025
  
  • STEM Fair
  • 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • At the RCTC Sports Center

Free Display Boards

Students who register before 1/1/2025 may request a display board at no additional cost. Students who register after this deadline will need to supply their own display boards. We highly recommend that students register before the deadline and claim a display board.

The boards can be picked up from the Northrop Education Center. The Community Education Office will notify you when your board is ready to be picked up in mid-January.

The provided boards are a single foam panel (36" tall x 24" wide x 3/16" thick). Other board shapes and sizes are welcomed at our Rochester Regional STEM Fair, but please note that only boards of the dimensions specified above are allowed at the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair. 

Can I work with a friend?

Yes! Up to three students can work together on a project. If you are part of a team, all team members must register individually through Community Education and each must pay the registration fee.

Travel Opportunities

Up to two high school projects will be selected to attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, in May 2025. All required ISEF paperwork must be completed on time for consideration.

Middle and high school students may be selected to attend the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair in March 2025.

Scientific Review Committee (SRC)

Projects involving human participants, vertebrate animals, or hazardous materials or processes may need approval by our Scientific Review Committee (SRC) before a project can begin.

Contact Information

Josh Halverson
Rochester Regional STEM Fair Director
johalverson@rochesterschools.org