TOP MINNESOTA STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN STATE SCIENCE FAIR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[ST. PAUL, MN, March 13, 2023] - Over 320 Minnesota students from more than 50 schools will compete in the 86th annual Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) on March 24 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Participating students in grades 6-12 advanced from regional science fairs throughout Minnesota to compete in this prestigious state event. MSSEF is proudly organized by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS).

“Students and teachers consistently tell us that participating in Science Fair is an unparalleled opportunity to gain experience in real-world science,” says Elizabeth Buhmann, MSSEF Program Manager. “We are thrilled to be offering an in-person event this year, where motivated students from across the state can receive feedback from STEM professionals, network with their peers, and meet representatives from Minnesota scientific organizations.”

During MSSEF, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals from some of Minnesota’s top companies serve as judges to determine award winners. Science Fair projects will be open for a public viewing from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Dozens of companies and organizations, including Seagate Technology, Ecolab, and the Broadcom Foundation, give awards valued at more than $15,000. MAS will announce the top winners during a live virtual awards ceremony on March 26 at 2:00 pm. All award results will be posted at mnmas.org immediately following the awards ceremony.

“It’s exciting to see the variety of ways Minnesota students are looking for answers to questions they care about through science projects,” said Lara Maupin, MAS Executive Director. “Many of the projects are rooted in local issues and when you see all the projects come together you get a real sense of what’s important to young people across the state of Minnesota.”

The most valuable prize remains the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Award, recognizing up to five of the top high school projects. ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, where nearly 2,000 students from around the world showcase their research. This year’s ISEF competition will be held in Dallas, Texas, May 14-19.

The Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair is a program of the Minnesota Academy of Science. Seagate Technology remains the event’s premier sponsor. Additional support comes from the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement / Americorps Volunteer Generation Fund, Ecolab, the Broadcom Foundation, and the Hardenbergh Foundation.

Participating schools include:

A.I. Jedlicka Middle School

Al-Amal School

Avail Academy

Blaine High School

Blessed Trinity Catholic School

Breck School

Burnsville High School

Carondelet Catholic School

Century High School

Chatfield School

Cotter School