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Student Projects

 

Students are invited to present projects in any field including science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. What we would really like you to highlight is the process you went through, from selecting your project focus through presentation. The essence of the STEAM Expo is to share your passion for STEAM subjects with your peers, community members, and experts in the field.
 

Student projects in the STEAM Expo should be interdisciplinary and must, therefore, incorporate at least two of the disciplines in STEAM. Examples of student projects include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Scientific Inquiry
    Students design and conduct an experiment or field study using scientific methodology, hypothesis, research, data collection and analysis.

  • Inventions & Innovations
    Students present an innovative solution to a problem or their own invention. The projects typically follow an engineering design cycle.

  • Research
    Students explore a specific question about a STEAM-related topic. These projects research the topic of interest through books, articles, journals, magazines, the internet, expert interviews, and a variety of other reputable sources. The incorporated information is interpreted and presented in a creative manner (i.e. NOT A WRITTEN REPORT).

  • Robotics & Computer Science
    Students may design a mechanical agent to perform tasks automatically (robot) or use computer science to design software that can perform tasks.

  • Environment & Agriculture
    Students share environmentally and/or agriculturally innovative ideas. These may be in the form of new products, procedures, inventions, promotional projects, community events, etc.

  • Reverse Engineering
    Students share their discovery of engineering concepts and methods by taking something apart, learning how it works, and then explaining it.

  • Rube Goldberg Machines
    Students explore physics and engineering concepts and methods in order to construct their own Rube Goldberg device.

  • Science Fiction
    Students define and then consistently use alternative physical rules or thought processes for the environment to create a great science fiction story. The storyline is presented in a creative manner, as in a story board or short movie (i.e. NOT A WRITTEN DOCUMENT).

  • Architecture & Construction
    Students learn about architecture, building materials, and construction practices. They may then design different structures for their local community including affordable housing, open spaces, or redesigning an existing structure for purposes other than those for which it was originally intended (upcycled architecture).

  • The Arts
    Students showcase their passion for the arts (visual arts, graphic arts, or performing arts) and explain how it involves science, technology, engineering, and/or math concepts.

Student projects will be entered into one of two divisions:

 

Junior Division

For teams made up of students exclusively in grades 9 and 10.

 

Senior Division

For teams made up of students in grades 11 and 12.

Students may enter their project either as an individual, with a partner, or in a group of no more than 4 students. Teams can be made up of students from multiple grade levels and schools. If a team has students from multiple grades, the project will be entered into the division of the student(s) in the highest grade. So, for example, if a project is entered by two students in grades 10 and 11, the project will compete in the Senior Division.

 

Please note, all students involved in the project must register for the STEAM Expo and be present at the Expo. No project may be entered into the Expo that involves the work of more than 4 students.
 

All student projects will need some kind of visual display that explains the research they did and the steps involved in their project. Have you ever seen a model of DNA, a math inspired dome, or even the relationship between notes in a song? The way in which scientists, engineers, artists, and mathematicians choose to present their work complements their creative and artistic ability. What better way to captivate your audience then to show off your creative side when presenting your project? Build a model or prototype, make a documentary, create a tri-fold display, a poster, a movie, a prezi presentation, etc. Just like our universe, your creativity has no limit and the options are endless.
 
On the day of the STEAM Expo, student teams should be prepared to speak to the judges about their project for approximately 9 minutes. Following this presentation, judges will be allowed to ask questions for an additional 5 minutes.

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