Are you a budding scientist in Pennsylvania with dreams of showcasing your science fair project at the state science fair?

Look no further!

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process to help you win the Pennsylvania Science Fair in 202

5. What is the Pennsylvania Science Fair?

The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a statewide organization of junior and senior high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science among its members through the development of research projects and investigations.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is divided into 12 PJAS regions.

Each PJAS region consists of two or more counties.

Every PJAS region has one or more directors and a treasurer who oversee the operation of the region.

PJAS also has a State Director, a State Secretary, and two State Treasurers as well as committees for Judging, Safety, Technicians, and Awards.

Pennsylvania Science Fair Goals The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science sponsored by the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, as an Affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science is organized with the following objectives: To promote greater participation in science and mathematics activities among the youth of Pennsylvania.

To improve the quality of achievement in mathematics and science by encouraging students to participate in research and develop original ideas.

To develop an understanding of the scientific community through close association with leaders in the sciences.

To seek the improvement of science clubs activities through the cooperative regional and state meetings.

To inculcate among its members true scientific attitudes and humanistic ideals that shall lead to the greater development of service to man.

What are the Rules and Eligibility of the Pennsylvania Science Fair?

Students in grades 7-12 are invited yearly to participate in one (1) of the PJAS Regional Competitions conducted within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

To complete in a PJAS Regional Competition, students conduct a scientific research project in 1 of the 12 Scientific Categories of Research identified by PJAS and then orally present that research to a team of judges at one of the Regional Competitions.

All participating students must have an adult sponsor.

Adult sponsors can be teachers, parents, or scientists.

The sponsors guide students through the scientific process and paperwork required to participate in a PJAS Regional Competition.

Eligibility: The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Competition is open to all students (parochial, private, public and home schooled) in grades 7

- 12 within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Project Eligibility

- Students must conduct their scientific research in 1 of the 12 Scientific Categories of Research and do their oral presentation and submit any applicable SRC/IRB Approval Forms.

Presentation Eligibility

- Students must abide by very specific guidelines when giving their oral presentation.

It is very important that you take the time to read the Presentation Eligibility Guidelines.

State Competition Eligibility

- Eligibility for the PJAS State Meeting is based on a student's participation and award at the Regional Meeting.

Research & Presentation Scoring Rules Students' research and presentations must conform to following set of Research and Presentation Rules.

Students and their research projects are judged on their OWN merit in meeting the Criteria for Judging rather than in comparison to other Students or research projects.

These following rules are designed to teach students better presentation skills and provide the judges with a uniform set of guideline: Each student's research project & presentation will be judged on its own merit in meeting the Criteria for Judging rather than in competition with other research or students.

The student doing the presentation must be the one who conducted the research. (ABSOLUTELY NO SUBSTITUTES).

Although students may present a new phase of an on-going project, no student may present a research topic from a previous year without conducting significant additional research on the topic during the current year.

Measurements must be in metric except where highly specialized equipment is calibrated in other units.

Presentations in which the measurements were not done in metric will not receive a first place award, regardless of score.

There are more rules and regulations for research which you should make sure to follow.

Visit this website to learn more about presentation and scoring specifics.

Categories at the Pennsylvania Science Fair For a complete list of categories with subcategories visit the Official Science Fair Website Stumped on what and how to pick a science research topic?

Don’t Worry!

Watch this video to gain tips from an International Science & Engineering Fair Winner!

PlayHow to Pick a Science Research Topic & Idea: FULL GUIDE Strategies to Win the Pennsylvania Science Fair

1. Choose a Compelling Project Select a research topic that you’re genuinely passionate about.

Your project should be original, address a real-world problem, and demonstrate your scientific thinking skills.

Remember, judges are looking for projects that show innovation and potential impact.

Need help brainstorming ideas?

Check out the idea-generation tool offered at ScienceFair. io which helps you analyze past winning science fair projects using AI to come up with a new idea.

Our AI Models are trained on thousands of winning Regeneron ISEF, Science Talent Search, and Google Science Fair projects.

2. Master the Scientific Method The Pennsylvania Science Fair emphasizes a rigorous approach.

For science projects, meticulously follow the scientific method: Question: Identify a problem or phenomenon that intrigues you.

Research: Investigate existing knowledge on the topic.

What has already been done?

Hypothesis: Formulate a testable prediction based on your research.

Experiment: Design and conduct an experiment to test your hypothesis.

Collect accurate data.

Analyze: Interpret your data.

Does it support your hypothesis?

Conclusion: Draw conclusions based on your analysis.

Did the experiment go as planned?

What did you learn?

For engineering projects, employ the engineering design process: Define the Problem: Identify a need or challenge to address.

Research and Design: Explore possible solutions and brainstorm potential designs.

Prototype: Build a model or prototype of your design.

Test and Evaluate: Assess how well your prototype functions.

Make improvements as needed.

Communicate: Document your process and present your findings.

3. Conduct Thorough Research The backbone of any winning project is solid research.

Here’s how to conduct effective research: Literature Review: Start with a comprehensive review of existing studies to understand the context and background of your topic.

Use reputable sources like scientific journals, academic books, and trusted online websites to gain the necessary knowledge.

Data Collection: Use reliable and valid methods to gather data.

Ensure your data is sufficient to support your conclusions.

Use Google Docs or Spreadsheets to organize data and research Analysis: Analyze your data using appropriate statistical or qualitative methods.

Be prepared to explain your analysis clearly.

4. Craft an Outstanding Presentation Your presentation is your chance to shine.

A well-crafted presentation can make a significant impact on the judges.

Focus on: Clarity: Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon.

Make your presentation accessible to a broad audience.

Visuals: Incorporate graphs, charts, and images to illustrate your points.

Ensure they are high-quality and relevant.

Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence and ensure smooth delivery.

5. Understand the Judging Criteria & Excel!

Understanding the judging criteria is crucial for success at the Pennsylvania Science Fair.

While the exact criteria may vary slightly from year to year, judges typically evaluate projects based on the following key aspects: Scientific Thought and Engineering Goals: The depth of understanding of the scientific principles or engineering concepts underlying the project.

Creativity and Originality: The level of innovation and unique approach to the problem or question being addressed.

Thoroughness: The completeness of the project, including comprehensive data collection and analysis.

Skill: The level of expertise demonstrated in conducting the experiment or building the prototype.

Clarity: The effectiveness of the project presentation, including the display board and oral explanation.

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6. Practice Your Presentation Prepare a clear, engaging verbal presentation of your project.

Be ready to explain your research in both simple terms and more technical detail.

Practice answering potential questions to boost your confidence.

Want to polish your presentation skills?

Book a coaching call with sciencefair. io experts who can provide personalized feedback and tips to make your presentation shine!

Conclusion Winning the Pennsylvania Science Fair in 2025 requires dedication, creativity, and hard work.

By following these strategies and leveraging resources like the A-Z science fair guide and coaching calls from sciencefair. io, you’ll be well-equipped to create an outstanding project that impresses judges and potentially earns you top honors.