59th Annual Cumberland Plateau Regional Science & Engineering Fair
March 22 & 23, 2013

It’s time to start planning your school’s science and engineering fair. Give your students the opportunity to compete at the regional level by having a science and engineering fair at your school between November 2012 and early March 2013.

Since 1954, Tennessee Tech University has hosted the Cumberland Plateau’s regional science and engineering fair. This fair has been an education and career gateway for students interested in and excited about the sciences, about how things work and why.

Students in the 4th through 12th grades from 16 eligible counties compete in the fair. Awards and recognitions range from ribbons, certificates, science kits, and university scholarships.

Senior division winners from the regional fair go on to compete at the international level in the yearly International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), sponsored by Intel.

This long-standing regional fair is an affiliate member of the International Science & Engineering Fair organization (ISEF).

2013 OPENING CEREMONY GUEST SPEAKER:
Dr. Brian Carver, Expert in Rare Bats

Tennessee Tech Assistant Professor of Biology

• 2013 Opening Ceremony | Friday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. | Oakley STEM Center Auditorium

• Carver is mammalogist and vertebrate community ecologist and is extremely active in mammalian research and population ecology.

• He is an expert on the ecology of two rare bat species in eastern North America: the southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius) and Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii).

• In addition to his "bat" work, Carver also has extensive experience working with mid-sized mammalian predators (raccoons, opossums, and striped skunks) investigating population trends and interactions between the species. He is especially interested in questions related to the conservation of imperiled species.

• As a biologist, Tennessee (and the Southeast) is an exciting area to work because of the great diveristy of landforms. These different areas create unique habitats for characteristic assemblages of organisms, such that you can find very different biological communities in close proximity to each other. This combination of natural elements means that the biodiversity of the region is very high, so there are lots of organisms (and interactions) to study.

• Carver is a Tennessee native, from rural southern middle Tennessee. He spent seven years as a faculty member in the biology department at Freed-Hardeman University. Just prior to coming to TTU, he spent a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology at Northern Michigan University in the city of Marquette in Michigan's remote Upper Peninsula.

• At TTU he teaches undergraduate and graduate classes, and serves on graduate-level committees.

Educators, Students & Parents: Click below for more information, requirements and resources.

• CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION.

 

16 Counties

• Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Scott, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White.

Eligibility

• Students in the 4th through 12th grades attending a public, private, parochial or home school (grade equivalent) within our region (see list of 16 eligible counties), whose projects have received an award or honorable mention in a school fair, are eligible to enter a project/exhibit.
• Students whose schools did not have a school fair are eligible to enter.

Individual & Two-Person Team Projects/Exhibits

• Individual student and two-person team exhibitions are accepted. A student or two-person team may enter only one project.
  • No more than two people are allowed on a team.
• $10 Registration Fee Per Individual Student Projects
• $20 Registration Fee Per Two-Person Team Projects
• Registration Fee is waived if a participating student qualifies for free or reduced lunch at school.

Exhibition/Project Categories

• Biological
• Mathematical
• Physical
• Engineering

Three Divisions by Grade Level 

• Intermediate Division: 4th, 5th & 6th grade

• Junior Division: 7th, 8th & 9th* grade

• Senior Division: 10th, 11th & 12th grade
  
(*An individual student or a two-person team in the 9th grade may choose to exhibit/compete in the Senior Division.)

Educators, Students & Parents: Click below for more information, requirements and resources.

• CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION & REGISTRATION.

 

 

Friday, March 22:

• Exhibitor Check In from 3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

  • The fair starts on Friday, March 22nd when students and parent/guardians begin Project/Exhibition Check In from 3pm-8:30pm (central time) in the Oakley STEM Center Lobby.

  • Teachers may check in exhibits on behalf of students if parents and/or students are unable to check in on Friday during that time. 

  • Please see the "REQUIRED FORMS & RESEARCH APPROVALS" tab on the Information Page to make sure all the appropriate forms and signatures are with the student(s) at Check In.

  • There is NO CHECK IN ON SATURDAY DURING THE FAIR.
    

• NEW During Check In:
  • Interactive Learning Stations in the Lobby
  • Virtual Theater Open Starting at 4 p.m. (last show starts at 5:30 p.m.)

• Opening Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

  • Student participants, their families and friends are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Oakley STEM Center Auditorium featuring an exciting guest speaker.

  • Guest Speaker 2013: Dr. Brian Carver, Expert in Rare Bat Research
    TTU Assistant Professor of Biology

  • NEW for Opening Ceremony - DOOR PRIZES!!
    
    • At the end of the Opening Ceremony there will be a drawing of the names of five (5) people attending the Opening Ceremony (must be present to win) and the winners will receive an Official Mission T-Shirt of Operation: Intercept!: An Interactive Virtual Theater Adventure.

Saturday, March 23:

• Judges Meeting at 7:30am

  • Judging begins at 8am, ends by 12pm.

• Project/Exhibition Judging from 8am-12pm / Senior & Junior Division Competitors Required to be Present

  • SENIOR DIVISION (10th-12th grade) competitors are required to be present to respond to judges.
  • JUNIOR DIVISION (7th-9th grade) competitors are required to be present to respond to judges.
    • Note: If a competitor has a significant conflict, attendance is not required, though the absence may be reflected in judges response due to inability to confer with student researcher.
  • INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (4th-6th grade) competitors are strongly encouraged to be present for the experience, but not required.

• Exhibit Areas Closed During Judging from 8am - 12pm

  • Exhibit areas are closed to parents and the public during judging, 8am-12pm.
    
    • A list of activities and accessible dining will be provided to participating families.

• Public Viewing of Projects 12-3pm

  • Exhibits are open for public viewing from 12-3pm.

• 59th Annual Awards Ceremony from 3-4pm

  • 2013 Awards Ceremony is from 3-4pm in the Oakley STEM Center Auditorium.
  • Photos of award winners will be taken as awards are received; please complete the Science & Engineering Fair Photo Release Form (PDF).
  • Projects must remain on display until the end of the Awards Ceremony.

Educators, Students & Parents: Click below for more information, requirements and resources.

• CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION & REGISTRATION.

 

 

 

• Driving Directions to STEM Center

• Interactive TTU Campus Map

• TTU Campus Map (PDF)

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUNCH, TREATS, ACTIVITIES & FUN!

Participants and their families and friends may experience “wait times” during the regional science and engineering fair (during judging, etc.).

See the list below for a variety of food and activity options for the whole family – including family-friendly neighborhood eateries, museums, and TTU sports.

Take your Science and Engineering Fair program/schedule or activity flyer to the participating restaurants on Cookeville's historic WestSide, just blocks from the Oakley STEM Center, to receive specials and discounts.

HISTORIC WESTSIDE | FOOD & TREATS

Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House

• 119 West Broad Street | 931-528-2732 | 10% off purchases

• Visit Cream City on FACEBOOK!

Sweet Sallie's Bakery & Cafe

• 11 North Oak Street | 931-526-6556 | 10% off purchases

• Visit SWEETSALLIES.COM!

World Foods

• 22 North Cedar Avenue | 931-528-5090 | $3.50 special: slice cheese pizza and a canned soft drink

• Visit World Foods on FACEBOOK!

HISTORIC WESTSIDE | MUSEUMS & LIBRARY | FREE Admission

Cookeville Depot Museum

• 116 West Broad Street | 931-528-8570 | Hours: 10am-4pm on Fridays & Saturdays

• Visit cookevilledepot.com

Cookeville History Museum

• 40 East Broad Street | 931-520-5455 | Hours: 10am-4pm on Fridays & Saturdays

• Visit This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Putnam County Public Library

• 50 East Broad Street | 931-526-2416

• Visit pclibrary.org

 

TTU SPORTS | Saturday, March 23 | FREE Admission

• Softball | TTU vs. Murray State | 12pm & 2pm

• Playing fields are on N. Willow Avenue across from the Hooper Eblen Stadium.

• Visit ttusports.com

 

 

 

 

FAQs

Q: Which 16 counties are included in the Cumberland Plateau Science & Engineering Fair?

• Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Scott, Smith, Van Buren, Warren and White.
  Questions?

  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  or call 931-372-6598.
  

Q: Does my child have to win their school’s fair in order to participate in the regional fair?

• Students attending a public, private, or home school within our region (see 16 counties), whose projects have received an award or honorable mention in a school fair, are eligible to enter a project/exhibit.
• Students whose schools did not have a school fair are also eligible to enter.

Q: What happens during the fair?

• The fair starts on Friday, March 22nd with exhibition check-in from 3-8:30pm. Exhibition check-in is on Friday only.
  • Student exhibitors, their families, and friends are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony on Friday evening at 6:30pm, featuring a guest speaker.
• Project/exhibition judging is Saturday morning, March 23rd from 8am-12pm.
• Exhibits are open for public viewing from 12-3pm.
• The Awards Ceremony starts at 3pm in the Oakley STEM Center Auditorium.

Q: Is there a registration fee for entering the Regional Science & Engineering Fair?

• Yes. There is a $10 registration fee per individual exhibitor and each member of a two-person team exhibit ($20).
• However, if a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch at school the fee is waived; teachers will verify eligibility.
• Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 931-372-6598, for more information.

Q: When can exhibits be checked in?

• Exhibits can be checked in on Friday, March 22nd at the Millard Oakley STEM Center on TTU’s campus between the hours of 3pm-8:30pm (central time). THERE IS NO CHECK IN ON SATURDAY DURING THE FAIR.

Q: What if I/my child can’t get to the STEM Center during the check in times of 3-8:30pm?

• A teacher may check in one or more exhibits for their student(s) during those hours.

Q: Are there forms or paperwork required to check in for the fair?

• Yes. 2013 Research Approval Forms are available online through the ISEF Document Library. 
• See "Required Forms & Approvals" tab on Information page for details.

Q: What if I don’t know the appropriate category is for my/my child’s exhibit? Biological, physical, mathematical, or engineering?

• For help confirming/clarifying the appropriate research/exhibit category, consult with your child's teacher, or email regional fair director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 931-372-6598 for assistance.

Q: Does my child have to stay with his/her exhibit during the judging process on Saturday morning from 8am to noon?

• SENIOR DIVISION (10th-12th grade) competitors are required to be present to respond to judges.
• JUNIOR DIVISION (7th-9th grade) competitors are required to be present to respond to judges.
  • Note: If a competitor has a significant conflict, attendance is not required, though may be reflected in judges response due to inability to confer with student researcher.
• INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (4th-6th grade) competitors are strongly encouraged to be present for the experience, but not required.

Q: What if I have more questions?

• For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 931-372-6598.