The Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair (MTSEF) is a prestigious STEM competition for middle and high school students in the Middle Tennessee region.

If you’re aiming to excel in this fair, here are some essential tips to help your secure success: Choose an Engaging Topic for MTSEF Select a research topic that genuinely interests you.

Passion fuels motivation, and an exciting project will keep you engaged throughout the process.

Brainstorm ideas related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Consider real-world problems or phenomena you’d like to explore.

Explore topics that are relevant to current scientific advancements or societal challenges.

This could include areas such as renewable energy, medical research, environmental conservation, or artificial intelligence.

Consider the feasibility of your project.

Choose a topic that allows you to conduct experiments or investigations within the constraints of available resources, time, and expertise.

Consult with teachers, mentors, or professionals in your chosen field for guidance and inspiration.

Their expertise can help you refine your ideas and identify promising research directions.

Categories at MTSEF These are some of the categories at MTSEF.

Biology and Life Sciences: Investigate living organisms, ecosystems, genetics, or health-related topics.

Chemistry and Biochemistry: Explore chemical reactions, molecular structures, or biochemical processes.

Physics and Astronomy: Study physical phenomena, forces, energy, or celestial bodies.

Earth and Environmental Sciences: Investigate geology, climate change, natural resources, or environmental impact.

Engineering and Computer Science: Design and build innovative solutions, software, or hardware.

Mathematics and Computational Sciences: Analyze mathematical models, algorithms, or data.

Behavioral and Social Sciences: Examine human behavior, psychology, sociology, or social issues.

Medicine and Health Sciences: Focus on medical research, diseases, treatments, or public health.

Materials Science and Engineering: Explore properties, applications, or development of materials.

Energy and Environmental Engineering: Investigate sustainable energy sources, conservation, or environmental engineering projects.

Required Forms for MTSEF Participation To participate in the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair (MTSEF), the following forms are mandatory: STEMWizard Online Registration: (deadline to be announced) All participants must complete the online registration via STEMWizard.

This serves as the primary registration platform for the fair.

MTSEF and ISEF Forms: Print and complete the necessary MTSEF and International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) forms.

These forms should be uploaded during the STEMWizard registration process.

ISEF Forms: During online registration, participants will need to upload specific ISEF forms.

Use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which forms are applicable to your project.

These may include: Abstract (required) 1

- Adult Sponsor (required) 1A

- Student Checklist (required) 1B

- Approval Form (required) Research Plan with a Bibliography (required) 1C

- Regulated Research Institutional/industrial Setting (if applicable) 7

- Continuation Projects (if applicable) 4

- Human Participants and Informed Consent Form (if applicable) 2

- Qualified Scientist Form (if applicable) Human Consent form (if applicable) 5A

- Vertebrate Animal SRC Form (if applicable) 5B

- Vertebrate Animal IACUC Form (if applicable) 6A

- Potential Hazardous Biological Agents Form (if applicable) 6B

- Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (if applicable) 3

- Risk Assessment Form (if applicable) Teacher Signature Form (required) Photo Consent Form: (required) All participants must submit the Photo Consent Form as part of their registration process.

Ensure that all forms are completed accurately and submitted before the specified deadlines to ensure your eligibility for the MTSEF.

Plan Your Project: https://youtu. be/RqNZ-L4E3Zw?si=E4h5mL68R8jXs88H How to pick a Science Research Project Idea: FULL GUIDE by Rishab Jain, who won ISEF.

Define clear objectives for your project.

What do you aim to achieve or discover through your research or experiment?

Break down your project into manageable steps or milestones.

Create a timeline to track progress and ensure that you stay on schedule.

A possible timeline might resemble the following: Week 1: Define Objectives and Research Define the objectives of your project.

What specific question or problem do you aim to address?

Conduct initial research on your chosen topic to gather background information and understand the current state of knowledge.

Week 2: Formulate Hypothesis and Experimental Design Based on your research, formulate a clear and testable hypothesis.

Design your experiment or investigation, outlining the procedures and methods you'll use to test your hypothesis.

Week 3-4: Gather Materials and Resources Make a list of all the materials, equipment, and resources you'll need for your project.

Begin gathering and organizing these materials, ensuring that you have everything you need well in advance.

Week 5-6: Develop Timeline and Contingency Plans Break down your project into manageable steps or milestones.

Create a detailed timeline to track your progress and ensure that you stay on schedule.

Identify potential challenges or obstacles that may arise and develop contingency plans to address them.

Also explore past winners' projects.

Week 7-8: Experimentation Begin conducting your experiments or investigations according to your outlined experimental design.

Record observations, collect data, and document your findings carefully.

Week 9-10: Data Analysis and Conclusion Analyze the data collected during your experiments.

Draw conclusions based on your analysis and determine whether your results support or refute your hypothesis.

Week 11-12: Prepare Presentation Organize your project into a clear and coherent presentation format.

Create visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images to support your presentation.

Practice presenting your project to ensure that you can communicate your findings effectively.

Week 13: Review and Revise Review your project thoroughly, checking for accuracy and clarity.

Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers and make any necessary revisions based on their suggestions.

Week 14: Finalize and Present Finalize your presentation materials and prepare to present at the science fair.

Be prepared to answer questions from judges and engage with audience members interested in your work.

Conduct Thorough Experiments: Define Experimental Procedures.

Follow Established Protocols.

Use Reliable Equipment and Materials.

Control Variables.

Document Procedures and Observations.

Collect Sufficient Data.

Stay Organized.

Seek Guidance and Feedback.

Be Flexible and Adaptable.

Maintain Ethical Standards.

Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions Organize Your Data: Utilize graphs, charts, or tables to organize your data visually.

This allows for easier interpretation and identification of trends or patterns.

Analyze Trends and Patterns: Look for trends or patterns in your data by examining how variables relate to each other.

Use statistical analysis methods to identify correlations, distributions, or outliers.

Assess Statistical Significance: Determine the statistical significance of your findings.

Use appropriate statistical tests to evaluate the reliability and validity of your results.

Draw Meaningful Conclusions: Based on your analysis, draw conclusions that are supported by the data.

Explain the implications of your findings and how they relate to your research question or hypothesis.

Consider Limitations and Future Directions: Acknowledge any limitations or constraints of your study.

Discuss potential sources of error or bias and how they may have influenced your results.

Suggest areas for further research or exploration based on your findings.

Highlight unanswered questions or areas that warrant additional investigation.

Create an Impressive Blueprint Design an Eye-Catching Display: Your display should be visually appealing and clearly organized.

Use colors, images, and diagrams to attract attention and highlight key points.

Include a title that accurately reflects the focus of your project.

Use large, readable fonts to ensure that the title is easily visible from a distance.

Organize your display into sections such as introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion.

Use headings and subheadings to guide viewers through your project.

Incorporate visual aids such as graphs, charts, and photographs to illustrate your findings.

Make sure these visuals are clear, concise, and relevant to your research.

Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to become familiar with the material and build confidence.

Time yourself to ensure that your presentation fits within the allotted time frame.

Aim for a clear and concise presentation that effectively communicates your research.

Practice speaking clearly and confidently.

Pay attention to your pace, tone, and body language to engage your audience and convey enthusiasm for your project.

Anticipate potential questions from judges and audience members.

Prepare thoughtful responses based on your research and analysis.

Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers on your presentation style and content.

Use their input to refine your presentation and address any areas for improvement.

Learn from Feedback Learn from Feedback: Judges may provide feedback during or after your presentation.

Pay close attention to their comments and observations.

Listen carefully to the feedback provided by the judges, as their insights can offer valuable perspectives on your project.

Utilize Constructive Criticism: Embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Use the feedback to identify areas of your project that could be enhanced or refined.

Consider implementing suggested changes or adjustments to strengthen the overall quality of your project.

Implement Changes: Act upon the feedback received by making necessary revisions to your project.

Take proactive steps to address any weaknesses or shortcomings highlighted by the judges.

Continuously Improve: View feedback as a continuous learning process and strive to incorporate lessons learned into future projects.

Use each critique as a steppingstone towards becoming a better researcher and presenter.

Explore Opportunities Beyond MTSEF Winning at MTSEF opens doors to other competitions and scholarships.

Consider participating in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) if you qualify.

Qualifying for ISEF The top projects at have the opportunity to advance to ISEF.

To qualify for ISEF, students must: Be in grades 9-12 or equivalent.

Not have reached age 20 on or before ISEF.

Win at an ISEF-affiliated science fair.

Ensure their project is written in English and adheres to the ISEF rules.

MTSEF is a journey of discovery and learning.

By participating, students gain invaluable experience in scientific research and public speaking.

For those looking to take their science fair experience to the next level, consider enrolling in science fair coaching or utilizing a comprehensive guide to enhance your project’s potential.

Remember, the key to success is passion, preparation, and perseverance.

Good luck to all aspiring participants!

Resources for you win Science fairs!

For those who are not sure how to start, Rishab (who won ISEF, 3M Young Scientists Challenge, authored several research papers and more) offers science fair coaching.

It will provide you an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of STEM and win at Science Fairs.

Rishab shares his winning strategies.

Whether you’re just starting or already doing great in student research, always appreciate your efforts.

Keep moving towards your goals, and good luck on your science journey!

About Afreen Hossain:I’m a web developer, amateur astronomer, and mathematician with ambitions to become a computer scientist.

Eager to contribute to advancements in technology, healthcare, transportation and space for a more accessible and beneficial world.

Learn more about me at LinkedIn.