NWA Science and Engineering Fair

NW Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair

March 10, 2023
Arkansas Student Union Ballroom

The NWARSEF — affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)— includes these Arkansas counties:

Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Scott, Searcy, Sebastian and Washington

The mission of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair of the University of Arkansas is to endorse STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) literacy and increase STEM career awareness in Northwest Arkansas for 5th-12th-grade students and teachers through inquiry and problem/project-based learning. The vision of the NWARSEF is to improve STEM education by encouraging students — future scientists, technologists, mathematicians and engineers — to explore STEM disciplines through their own research and problem/project-based learning, to apply the knowledge gained from their research, and to communicate their results.

Tentative 2022-23 Timeline

August - September

September - November

  • NWA Science and Engineering Fair Affiliation Agreement and SRC/IRB due NOW! LATE after Nov. 1
  • Research plan developed and all required forms signed prior to experimentation
  • Before experimentation begins, a local SRC or IRB must review and approve projects involving human participants, vertebrate animals and potentially hazardous biological agents
    • Student Checklist (Form 1A) completed and signed
    • Research Plan
      1. Rationale: Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
      2. Research Question(s), Hypothesis (es), Engineering Goal(s), Expected Outcomes: How is this based on the rationale described above?
      3. Describe the following in detail:
        • Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project. Do not include work done by mentor or others.
        • Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
        • Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
      4. Bibliography: list a minimum of 5 major references, more are preferred
    • Approval Form (Form 1B) completed and signed by
      1. Student prior to experimentation
      2. Parent prior to experimentation
      3. SRC and/or IRBfcomf prior to experimentation
  • Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form 1)
    • Filled in, signed/dated by Adult Sponsor prior to experimentation
  • Access more information on Rules for All Projects
  • All other forms required of project signed and dated appropriately
  • NWA Science and Engineering Fair Affiliation Agreement and SRC/IRB forms completed.

October 2022 — January 2023

  • PreNWARSEF 2023 Teacher/Sponsor Orientation on Friday, Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m-. Registration is free, but you must register by Wednesday, Oct. 5: https://forms.gle/VbjYDx3gmX4ARmMq6
  • Experimentation and data collection

January

December — February

  • Local science fair held at school or district by Feb. 22

February

  • Top four 5th-12th-grade winners in each division and category are registered with the NWARSEF by Wednesday, Feb. 22. All projects with abstracts are submitted into the NWARSEF database. Registration link:  https://forms.gle/wG7ex63HEZiu1bjV8
  • Individual School and Project registrations fees due by March 10, 2023. The Division and Student Project fees are waived for new schools participating this year.  Payment link: https://commerce.cashnet.com/UARKCMSE
  • All student project paperwork is due at the SRC/IRB meeting on 2/25 prior to NWARSEF.  
  • Regional teachers participating in NWARSEF assist with the NWARSEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC) on Saturday, Feb. 25, prior to the NWARSEF Registration link:  https://forms.gle/n6GN9soUES1rFUjS9

March

  • NWARSEF — Friday, March 10, at the University of Arkansas Student Union Ballroom
  • Schudule of Events
  • ISEF representatives will meet on Saturday, March 11, 2023
  • Top five 9th-12th-grade representatives register for the State Science and Engineering Fair (SEF). Registration deadline (online): Friday, March 17.

March 31 - April 1

  • State SEF at University of Central Arkansas in Conway for NWARSEF 9th-12th-grade winners. 

April - June

May 7-12

  • ISEF in Dallas with NWARSEF finalists