2023 STEM EXPO, April 5th, MTSU Student Union Building

Projects will be entered into one of four categories (outlined below) based on teacher classification at the time of submission and will be divided into one of three age groups (5-6^th, 7-8^th, and 9-12^th). Schools may register multiple entries per category and age group.

1. STEM Research: Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Biotechnology, or Medicine/Veterinary Medicine
2. Engineering: Mechanical, Industrial, Civil, Aerospace, Automotive, Environmental, Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical or other Engineering fields
3. Agricultural STEM: Agricultural production and science
4. Technology: Computer programming, programming computer games, designing computer applications, or designing websites

The 2023 STEM EXPO is designed as a competitive event between students/teams.  At least one participating student must be present at the Expo to represent each entry.  Projects will be evaluated using a common rubric.  Please note that the rubric has been modified from the one used in prior years. Awards will be granted to the top performers in each category and age group.  The top performing seniors in the 9^th – 12^th grade age group will each be awarded a $500 scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University (if they choose to attend MTSU upon graduation). 
View RUBRIC

• Projects may be submitted by an individual student or a team of students (maximum of 5 students per team).
• Students may only be represented by one project in the STEM EXPO.
• Completed projects must demonstrate that students went through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge.
• Each project must be represented at the STEM Exposition by at least one student who actually participated in the project.  Projects with no student representatives will not be evaluated.
• Each individual or team entering a project will be interviewed by evaluators.
• The evidence component requires students to show proof of project completion, demonstrating an end product.  Evidence will vary from project to project, but may take the following forms:
  • Physical model
  • Demonstration
  • Research log book (required for the STEM research category)
  • Video demonstration
  • Audio demonstration
  • Visual representations such as pictures, drawings, or art-work
  • Scientific poster
  • Portfolio
  • Other forms of evidence as approved by the STEM EXPO Director 

Safety guidelines:

Projects will be prohibited from displaying or using the following on the day of the STEM EXPO

• Combustible materials, in any combination, including chemicals
• Chemicals, including household chemicals, that are not properly contained so as to prevent accidental spilling
• Sharp items (including blades, cutters, knives, saws and scissors)
• Plants that are poisonous, contain compounds that are irritating to the skin, may cause allergic reactions, or are endangered
• Firearms (including BB, soft air, paint-ball, handguns, rifles and shotguns)
• Invertebrate animals (including insects, worms, mollusks, spiders, slugs…)
• Vertebrate animals (amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles)
• Human beings
• Biohazards:  infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment, including recombinant DNA; organisms and viruses infectious to humans, animals or plants.

Display guidelines:

• A standard display must consist of one or more panels of information and any objects the student/s wish to display within safety guidelines.  Exhibit panels must be constructed of stable and free-standing material not to exceed 48 inches in width, 30 inches in depth, and 72 inches in height.  Failure to meet these requirements will result in disqualification. Tables will be provided.

Abstract guidelines:

Each project should include an abstract of 250 words or less.  The poster should address the following eight elements as part of the presentation.  Since these are used for evaluation purposes, they should be prominently displayed.

1. Purpose – A purpose (question or problem) is provided, and the purpose is specific, clear, and stated succinctly. The project communicates the reason it is important.
2. Research – Evidence of background research. Background research is sufficient and has been used to inform and create the hypothesis/requirements.
3. Hypothesis/Requirements – Hypotheses or requirements are provided, and they are clear and concise.  The project addresses the purpose question. The project reflects why the hypothesis or design solution best fits the question/problem.
4. Materials – All materials used for the project are listed and adequately explained when necessary.
5. Procedure/Experiment – Procedures are described step-by-step and easily understood by the audience. The project shows evidence of replication or iterative improvement.
6. Results – Results are provided and easy to understand. Results provide information that answers the purpose question.
7. Conclusion/Analysis – A conclusion or summary is provided. It indicates whether the hypothesis/approach was correct or not, and there is an explanation for why or why not.
8. Originality – The project or approach is unique. The student(s) chose a novel topic or took a commonly used topic and changed it to make it different and interesting.