Project Regulations
1. Students must be present at their displays during scheduled interviews to be eligible for awards.
2. Students' original laboratory notebook, containg the students sensemaking notes, drafts, outlines and data collection should be present for judging. This notebook is required for advancement to State and National Championships.
3. Project displays must adhere to Santa Cruz County, state, federal laws for public safety.
Projects must sustain their own weight.
4. No hazardous materials may be exhibited at the project display. This includes, but is not limited to acids, unsecured glassware, mercury (including glass thermometers), hazardous microbes (No growing of unknown molds, fungus or bacteria!), carcinogenic, and radioactive material, open flames or food which may attract pests.
5. Displays may not contain any living organism including all animals, plants, and studied collections of microscopic life forms such as bacteria, fungi, and molds. The display of preserved animals is not permitted. Projects may not display photographs of procedures detrimental to the health and well being of vertebrate animals. Photographs of surgical procedures may not be exhibited.
6. All projects must clearly distinguish between the work of the student participant and the work of others. Students participating in a research opportunity in industry, a university, hospital or institution other than their school must display only their research. Students must clearly specify the assistance received and the role and contributions of others in the project. It is required that such projects be accompanied by a letter from the principal research director indicating the level of his/her involvement in the student project. This letter should be included in the project notes.
You will need to make a copy of the file for your use.
Determine the best way to display your project within the limitations of space and permissible materials allowed for display. Whenever possible use photographs and illustrations to graphically display the most meaningful parts of your science fair project.
Our Mission
The Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo promotes diversity and high-quality scientific research and science education for K-12 students in Santa Cruz County.
Our Goals
The Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo will provide the highest quality special events for students seeking opportunities in pre-collegiate scientific research, and world-class science and technology competitions.
The Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo is a regional academic science, mathematics, technology, and engineering competition for students in grades K-12. Through the generous support of our sponsors, and the Santa Cruz International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and California State Science Fair (CSSF) teams.
Santa Cruz County Science & Engineering Fair
Students - What to Expect At the Fair
Judging Day - Saturday, March 9th, 2024
Judging @ 9 am-11:30 pm
Students may be called back for Special Awards Consideration from 12:30-1:30 pm
- Judges will sit with a group of up to 6 projects, 3 judges in a Judging circle. Each student will present their project (about 5-6 minutes) then receive questions and feedback from the other students and judges. Judging will be based on a Rubric (published on the main website).
- Students it will be in Judgign circels with up to 5 other projects in the same category and age groups. Each project will have about 5 minutes to describe your project, with about 5 minutes for questions and feedback from the other participants and judges. Students will be competing against the RUBRIC, not each other!
- ALL projects will be open to public viewing from11:30-12:30 pm and from 1:30-3:00 pm in the Harvest Building
- Award-Winning Projects will be recognized beginning at 3:00 pm in the Fine Arts Building. Sso stick around and check out the interactives in the Crosetti Building, and performances in the Fine Arts Building until the Awards CEremony!
- Dress for success. You are encouraged to dress as neatly and professionally as possible
- Project Removal. You will need to remove your project materials after teh awards ceremony concludes (approximately 4-4:30 pm). Projects not removed by 5:30 pm will be discarded.
Animal Sciences
Study of animals and animal life, including their structure, function, life history, interactions, classification, and evolution.
Behavioral and Social Sciences
The science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods.
Biochemistry
The study of chemical substances, interactions, and processes relevant to living organisms.
Cellular and Molecular Biology
The study of the structure and formation of cells.
Chemistry
The science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
Computer Science
The study of information processes, the structures and procedures that represent processes, and their implementation in information processing systems. It includes systems analysis and design, application and system software design, programming, and datacenter operations.
Earth and Planetary Science
The study of sciences related to the planet Earth (Geology, minerology, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, speleology, sesismology, geography, atmospheric sciences, etc.)
Energy and Transportation
The study of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean transport, and alternative fuels.
Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, processes, and systems.
Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical machines and systems.
Environmental Management
The application of engineering principals to solve practical problems of managing mans' interaction with the environment with the goal to maintain and improve the state of an environmental resource affected by human activities.
Environmental Sciences
The analysis of existing conditions of the environment.
Inventions
Creation of a unique invention.
Mathematical Sciences
The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures.
Medicine and Health Sciences
The science of diagnosing, treating, or preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind.
Microbiology
The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pathogens.
Physics and Astronomy
Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.
Plant Sciences
Study of plant life, including their structure and function, life history, growth, interactions with other plants and animals, classification, and evolution.