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!