Author: Danniey Wright

High School interviews are back in person this year, but what does that mean?

Projects

High School project requirements remain the same as when we began requiring digital project submissions in 2021. This allows the judges to review projects in advance and judge more thoroughly. Project registration and all uploads are due February 26, 2023 at 11:59pm.  

For information about High School project requirements, please see the high school project checklist:

Interviews

We are happy to announce that High School interviews are back in-person for 2023! 

Interviews are required and will take place at the University of Arizona Student Union Grand Ballroom on Wednesday, March 8, from 9:00a-3:00p. The day will include interviews with judges as well as category networking sessions similar to those held at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Students will have the opportunity to connect with other students in their category as well as STEM professionals in a related discipline. Lunch will be provided for all students. Please review all of the following information as you plan for this exciting day! 

Time and location 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 9:00a-3:00p

UArizona Student Union Ballroom 

1303 E University Blvd, Level 3 

Tucson, AZ 85719 

Parking and transportation

• Parking is limited at UA. We recommend getting dropped off or carpooling if possible. Dropoffs can be at the Student Union roundabout at 2^nd and Mountain.  
• The UA Student Union is located along the SunLink route and is accessible by SunTran Routes 4, 5, 102X, 103X, and 105X.  
• If parking is necessary, the 2^nd Street garage is next to the UA Student Union. The cost is $2/hr with a $16 daily maximum.  

Preparation — What to bring

Upon arrival, each student will be provided with a blank tri-fold project board and a color printout of their virtual project slides. During their project set-up time, they will locate their board and arrange the printed project on their board using the supplies provided. Additionally, students may bring a laptop with simulations, physical models, prototypes, their lab journal, their project pdf, etc., to showcase and aid in the interview. Students may not print their own presentation posters or create their own project board ahead of time. This is to ensure that the judges are seeing the same project they have already reviewed prior to the interviews.

Note: Project boards are being created for ease of reference only. The digital slide deck will have already been reviewed and is the sole basis of any display score found on the judging criteria sheet. Students will not be marked down if their board is not assembled.  

If students choose to bring in a laptop, physical models, prototypes, etc., these materials must follow all Display and Safety Rules, or they will not be permitted.  

Schedule

8:30-9:30 Check-in, UA Student Union, Level 3, Diamond Atrium 

All students will check in and then follow the schedule of their appropriate track based on their category.

Track A

Categories:  

• Applied Technology  
• Chemistry  
• Environmental Studies  
• Data Science and Math  
• Physics and Astronomy  
• Plant Science  
• Sustainability and Renewable Energy  

9:15-10:00 Project Setup, Grand Ballroom  

10:00-12:00 Judges Interviews, Grand Ballroom  

12:00-12:45 Lunch, Student Union (Provided for Students)  

1:00-2:30 Networking Sessions  

• Rincon Room – Plant Science
• Catalina Room – Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry 
• Santa Rita Room – Applied Technology, Data Science and Math  
• Tucson Room – Sustainability and Renewable Energy, Environmental Studies 

Track B

Categories: 

• Animal Science 
• Behavioral and Social Sciences 
• Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 
• Medicine, Health, and Disease 
• Mental Health 
• Microbiology 

10:00-11:30 Networking Sessions 

• Rincon Room – Animal Science 
• Catalina Room – Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Santa Rita Room – Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 
• Tucson Room – Medicine, Health, and Disease, Microbiology 

11:30-12:15 Lunch, Student Union (Provided for Students) 

12:15-1:00 Project Setup, Grand Ballroom 

1:00-3:00 Judges Interviews, Grand Ballroom 

Interviews — What to expect 

• As you enter the ballroom during your project setup time, locate your project according to the Locator Number that accompanies your project on the virtual exhibit hall. Projects will be arranged by category and then in numerical order. 
• You will find your board and printed project slides at your Locator Number spot. Using the materials provided, assemble the desired project slides on your board to aid in the interview. You will not be judged on this board. 
• Arrange any additional physical items you brought, for example, models, prototypes, a laptop, etc. You may not bring a printed poster or a project board you assembled at home. All items you bring must follow Display and Safety Rules or will not be permitted. 
• A Master Schedule of interviews will be posted in the Ballroom. You will know when judges are scheduled to interview you and will be able to see any breaks you may have during the interview period. Additional judges and Sponsored Awards judges may sign up in-person for one of your empty slots, so if you have a break, be sure to check that no one has signed up before having a snack or using the restroom. You won’t want to miss an additional interview! 
• Interviews are 8 minutes long and will begin every 10 minutes (allowing 2 minutes for judges to move to the next project). 
• An announcement will be made at the beginning of each interview period, and a chime will sound at the seven-minute mark so that judges may ask any last questions and wrap up the interview. 
• Parents, caregivers, and teachers will not be permitted on the project floor during the interview sessions. Only judges, students, and staff will be permitted in the Ballroom during interview sessions.  
• Wear comfortable shoes, and dress in business casual or professional attire.  
• Bring a water bottle and snacks.  
• Lunch will be provided for students.

Parents and caregivers

• Parking is limited. Please plan to drop your student off at the Student Union roundabout located at Mountain and 2^nd St. 
• Parents and caregivers will not be permitted on the project floor or in networking sessions. 

Teachers 

• There will be a Teacher’s area in the Kachina Lounge, where educators can network and rest during the event. Light snacks will be provided for educators.  

We know that so much goes into the education of our young scientists and engineers. SARSEF awards educators and schools that support STEM learning in their classrooms, however, we know that we only see a small portion of the work that goes on behind the scenes to create high quality critical-thinking and problem-solving opportunities for PreK-12 students in Arizona. We wanted to give the community a chance to nominate those unsung heroes – those educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, parents, and caregivers – that make it possible for our young learners to thrive and grow into the thinkers and solvers of tomorrow.

At the 2023 Fair and beyond, our Education Advocate Award will be presented to members of your learning communities that YOU nominate. Share with us your stories of commitment and engagement that you see throughout your classrooms and schools. Winners will receive recognition and a cash award at the SARSEF Regional Fair Awards Ceremony on March 11th, 2023. Nomination deadline is Wednesday, March 1st.

The SARSEF Regional Fair is upon us once again! Registration is now closed for this event, and there are 1,500 student projects waiting in the wings to premiere at the virtual exhibit hall on February 26th! Consider this you go-to guide of what to expect for Fair Week 2022.

February 21-25 – Display and Safety Checks

All projects will undergo Display and Safety checks to ensure compliance with Fair rules. Registrants will be emailed information on how to review project submissions and submit any changes that are necessary.

February 26 – Virtual Exhibit Hall Goes Live

The virtual exhibit hall will go live. You can begin browsing the over 1,500 student projects that advanced to the Regional Fair this year! Judges will begin reviewing projects in preparation for judging and interview days.

Monday, February 28 – Elementary School (PreK-5) Judging and Interviews

Judging will take place online an over Zoom from 11:00a – 1:00p. Then, Elementary School students will have an opportunity to be interviewed by judges over Zoom from 1:00p-4:00p. Students must have an adult nearby in order to be interviewed. Interviews at this level are not required and do not factor into judging. They are for experience only for young researchers to talk about their science!

Tuesday, March 1 – Middle School (6-8) Judging and Interviews

Judging will take place online an over Zoom from 8:00a – 10:00a. Then, Middle School students will have an opportunity to be interviewed by judges over Zoom from 10:00a-2:00p. Students must have an adult nearby in order to be interviewed. Interviews at this level are not required and do not factor into judging. They are for experience only for young researchers to talk about their science!

Wednesday, March 2 – High School (9-12) Part 1 Judging and Interviews

Judging and interviews will take place throughout the day for categories based on the following schedule. Interviews are required at this level and students should plan to be available for the entire interview block.

9:00a-11:00a Interviews (8:00a-12:00p Judging)

Animal Science, Biochemical Science and Bioengineering,  Cellular and Molecular Biology 

11:00a-2:00p Interviews (10:00a-3:00p Judging)

Behavioral and Social Science, Earth and Environmental  Science 

1:00p-3:00p Interviews (12:00p-4:00p Judging)

Chemical and Material Science, Electrical and Mechanical  Engineering    

Thursday, March 3 – High School (9-12) Part 2 Judging and Interviews

Judging and interviews will take place throughout the day for categories based on the following schedule. Interviews are required at this level and students should plan to be available for the entire interview block.

9:00a-11:00a Interviews (8:00a-12:00p Judging)

Energy and Environmental Engineering, Microbiology

11:00a-2:00p Interviews (10:00a-3:00p Judging)

Health and Biomedical Science, Plant Science

1:00p-3:00p Interviews (12:00p-4:00p Judging)

Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics, Robotics and  Computer Science 

Friday, March 4 – Winners List Posted

Award winners lists will be posted on the Fair website on Friday. These lists will just signify to teachers, students, and schools that an award has been won, but will not specify what is the name of the award. It will also let you know which Awards Ceremony(ies) you should attend.

Saturday, March 5 – Community STEM Expo and Awards Ceremonies

Regardless of whether a project won or not, everyone should plan on attending the combination Community STEM Expo and Awards Ceremonies at Reid Park from 9:00a-4:30p on Saturday. All Southern Arizona families are invited as there should be something for everyone! Bring your own blankets and chairs for awards ceremony seating, and enjoy the exhibitors, entertainment, and food trucks!

What You Can Expect

• Dozens of hands-on STEM activities from exhibitors from 9:00a-3:00p
• The SARSEF Innovators Hall, where attendees can explore student projects from the 2022 Fair
• SARSEF Science Mart for all of your STEM swag needs
• Town Hall where any student that has done research this year, teacher, or Fair judge can claim a gift
• Scavenger Hunt for families to explore the exhibitors and claim a prize upon completion
• Onstage live entertainment including three awards ceremonies for the Fair
• Sweet and savory Food Trucks from 11:00a-3:00p
• Plenty of room for outdoor seating on the grass in front of the amphitheater (bring your own blankets and chairs)

Schedule

• 9:00a-3:00p STEM exhibitor booths open
• 10:00a Elementary Grand Awards Ceremony
• 12:00p Sponsored Awards Ceremony (all grades)
• 3:00p Middle and High School Grand Awards Ceremony
• 11:00a-3:00p Food trucks open

The Awards Ceremonies will not be live-streamed this year. Please plan to attend in-person! If you are unable to do so, unclaimed awards will be delivered to schools in the coming weeks. Full awards lists will be posted on the website Wednesday, March 9th.

Note on COVID-19: We are aware of the continued spread of COVID-19. We have chosen to hold this event outside in the open air to mitigate the spread of infection and allow plenty of room for physical distancing. We highly encouraged all attendees to be fully vaccinated whenever possible. Masks are highly encouraged at this event and required inside the Innovators Hall tent. Please stay home if you’re experiencing symptoms of illness. We will continue to monitor Pima County infection rates and will update our plans for this event accordingly.

Enjoy Fair Week and congratulations to all of our young scientists and engineers!