Western Regional Science Fair
Wednesday, February 17 - Saturday, February 20, 2021
71st annual WRSF will be hosted by the University of Minnesota Crookston.
This year's event will be held remotely.
Project registration is now open!
Volunteer registration will be available in early January.
The Western Minnesota Region is one of the seven regions in Minnesota and includes the counties of Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Norman, Ottertail, Polk, Pope, Stevens, Todd, Traverse and Wilkin.
Fair ID: USMN05
Questions, contact mnwestregscifair@gmail.com or Tim Dudley.
Registration, Deadlines and Fees
Registration, Deadlines and Fees
2021 Registration
Project registration is now open
Step 1 - Register Your Project Online
Step 2 - Download & Submit Project Forms
Download and fill out all project related forms (see "Forms & Guides" accordion below).
Forms can be mailed (see address below) or emailed to mnwestregscifair@gmail.com.
Deadline for Registration and Project Form Submission
- The deadline for entries and required forms for projects and papers must be postmarked by February 5, 2021.
- All Forms for Scientific Review Committee (SRC) must be mailed or emailed to arrive by February 5, 2021.
We will not guarantee late submissions will be eligible for competition at the Western MN Regional Science Fair.
2021 Fees
There will be no fees for the 2021 Western Minnesota Regional Science Fair.
Mail Forms:
Western MN Regional Science Fair
c/o Tim Dudley
University of Minnesota Crookston
2900 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
Forms may also be submitted by email - mnwestregscifair@gmail.com.
Schedule of Events
Schedule of Events
2021 Participant Preliminary Schedule
Project judging will include:
- judging of poster or Powerpoint videos
- remote interviews of students.
Monday, February 15:
Project videos must be submitted by faculty advisers for full consideration.
Wednesday, February 17 - Saturday, February 20:
Remote interviews will be scheduled using Zoom.
Faculty Advisers
Monday, February 15:
Faculty advisers will be notified of schedules for their students.
Forms & Guides
Forms & Guides
Regional Registration Guides
- Rules Wizard (find out what forms you need for your project)
- Human Subjects Risk Assessment Guide
(info on Required ISEF Forms for Projects)
2021 WRSF Forms
- Elementary Project Approval Form
(use this if you have no hazardous chemicals and no human subjects and are in grades 4 & 5)
2021 ISEF Forms
- Rules Wizard (find out what forms you need for your project)
- ISEF Adult Sponsor Form
- ISEF Abstract Form
Project Guidelines
Project Guidelines
Projects must follow the rules and display guidelines as set forth for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Specific questions will be answered by email at displayandsafety@societyforscience.org.
The Minnesota Academy of Science website is also a source of both paper and project guidelines.
We suggest you follow the video guidelines provided by the Minnesota Academy of Science.
All projects (except grades 4 & 5) must fill out ISEF forms appropriate for their project. The ISEF Rules Wizard will help you figure out which forms you need for your project.
Awards
Awards
Awards listed below have been given at past fairs. This list is subject to change.
| Awards Given | Award | Restrictions |
| First Place Project | Participation in Intel ISEF | Restricted to Grades 9-12 |
| Second Place Project | Eligible to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as Observer. | Restricted to Grades 9-12 |
| Third and Fourth Place Projects | Eligible to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as Observers. | Restricted to Grades 9-12 |
| Purple Award Winners | Eligible to Participate in the Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair, | None |
| American Meteorological Society * | Certificates for Ability and Creativity in an Atmospheric and Related Oceanic and Hydrologic Sciences Project (Two). | Grades 9-12 but exceptions possible. |
| American Psychological Association | 1 Certificate - Outstanding Research in Psychology in Behavioral Sciences category | None |
| Association of Women Geosciences * | 1 Award Certificate - High Standards of innovation and scientific excellence in the Geosciences, especially projects that increase public awareness of geosciences, illustrate interdisciplinary nature or promote sensitivity to the earth as a global system. | Female students only |
| Society for Science & the Public Middle School Program | Congratulation Letter - Nominees are top 10% of 5th-8th grade participation. | Grades 5-8 |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | 1 Certificate & Medallion - Individual selected from among all the general award categories whose research emphasizes NOAA's mission to understand and predict changes in Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. | Grades 6-12 |
| Intel Excellence in Computer Science | 1 Certificate & $200.00 USD | Grades 9-12 |
| MU Alpha Theta | 1 Certificate - Project demonstrating the most challenging, thorough, and creative investigation of a problem involving modern mathematics. | Individual or team |
| Society for In Vitro Biology | 1 Certificate - project in area of plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture | Grade 11 |
| National Society of Professional Engineers | 1 Certificate and lapel pin - Outstanding Engineering Project. | Grades 7-12 |
| Ricoh Americas Corporation | 1 Certificate - Sustainable Development Award | |
| US Metric Association * | 1 certificate - for the project that best uses quantitative measurements and the SI metric system for those measurements | |
| Stockholm Junior Water Prize* | 3 Regional Certificates and nomination to enter the state SJWP competition - Best project related to water quality, water resource management, water protection or water or wastewater treatment. | Grades 9-12 |
| Yale Science and Engineering Association * | 1 Certificate and Medallion - Best Project in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Chemistry category. | 11th Grade |
| U.S. Army * | Engineering - Certificate + Award | Grades 9-12 |
| U.S. Army * | Environmental Science including Earth and Space Sciences or Environmental Science-Certificate+ Award | Grades 9-12 |
| U.S. Army * | Mathematics/Computer Science-Certificate+ Award | Grades 9-12 |
| U.S. Army * | Life Sciences including Behavioral and Social Science, Medicine and Health, Microbiology, Zoology, or Botany-Certificate+ Award | Grades 9-12 |
| U.S. Army * | Physical Sciences including Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Physics-Certificate+ Award. | Grades 9-12 |
| US Army Awards * | In the above groups the best of the 5 will receive the Army's Bronze medallion for Science/engineering excellence | Grades 9-12 |
| U.S. Navy/Marine Corps * | 2-10 awards & certificates |
Participating Counties
Participating Counties
The Western Minnesota Region is one of the seven regions in Minnesota and includes the counties of Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Norman, Ottertail, Polk, Pope, Stevens, Todd, Traverse and Wilkin..
Information for Participants and Teachers
Information for Participants and Teachers
Understanding the International Rules and Guidelines and properly completing all of the paperwork (Rules Wizard) is a necessary and important part of completing your science fair project.
View the Intel ISEF Rules and Guidelines
Student Handbook
View the ISEF's Overview of Forms and Dates for Pre-College Science and Engineering Projects.
Project Guidelines
Look over the Western Regional Science Fair "Project Guidelines" section above, special notes and changes for this year, as well as, display and safety regulations.
Registration, Fees and Deadlines
Please see our section on "Registration, Deadlines and Fees" section above.
Categories for Projects
Information for Judges and Volunteers
Information for Judges and Volunteers
How to become a judge and/or volunteer at the Western Regional Science Fair?
Thank you for your interest in judging and/or volunteering the Western Regional Science fair. Any person who has an interest in science and enjoys talking to middle or high school students is eligible to judge. Judging teams consist of 2-3 people, and we try to match new judges with experienced judges. Project judging consists of talking to students and viewing the poster board displays. Usually project judges, judge 8-10 projects.
Please consider inviting some colleagues to help. We need judging and non-judging volunteers at all levels.
Judges & Volunteers Online Registration will be available early January 2021.
Regional ISEF Judging Information
Resources
Resources
Science Fairs
- Minnesota State Academy of Science - Science & Engineering Fair
- Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Other Important Links
Questions? Contact
Thank You Past & Present Sponsors!
Lake Agassiz Level ($5,000 and above)
Red River Level ($2,500 - $4,999)
UMC Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Red Lake River Level ($1,000 - $2,499)
Ottertail River Level ($500 - $999)
Individual Sponsor: Tim Dudley
Individual Sponsor: Kari Torkelson
