Why Join Science Fair?

Science fair was one of the best things I ever chose to do throughout my middle and high school years. It gave me so many incredible skills that I still use every single day and allowed me to learn and experiment on something that I had a strong interest and passion for. But more importantly, the science fair helped me build a supportive community and networking system. This system encouraged and pushed me towards achieving things I didn’t even know I could achieve.

I participated in the SLVRSF for nine years and was given the opportunity to participate in the CSEF with six of those nine independent research projects. Participating in both the SLVRSF and CSEF provided me with opportunities that were truly invaluable. They helped me learn and develop countless critical skills such as public speaking, research design, project display and presentation, and even allowed me to practice and develop mental skills like critical thinking and thinking with an interdisciplinary mindset, that continue to benefit me today.

I can confidently say that without science fair in my life I would not have the skills I do today, I would not have had the confidence and ability to achieve the things I have, and I especially would not be the person I am today.  Science fair has simply been the most rewarding, difficult, and life-changing experience I have ever participated in, and I hope that so many other kids will have the same, incredible, experience that I had.

Gus Miller

• CSEF Finalist 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024
• Monte Vista HS Graduate 2024
• Boettcher Scholarship Recipient 2024

“Science fair is an amazing organization that helped me in ways I would have never thought possible. I had the absolute privilege of competing at the regional, state, national, and international levels for science fair. Throughout my early high school career, I couldn’t even imagine making it to the International Science and Engineering Fair, and because of these levels of competition and the opportunities I had, I became the first Hispanic student in the San Luis Valley to be selected as a Finalist for the Regeneron Science Talent Search and I couldn’t believe what I had accomplished. I was just like every other kid out there, thinking that I could only accomplish the bare minimum, but if you have the drive and the excitement, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Science fair helped me find my passion; it helped me plan my future as an ecologist/biologist. It helped me tremendously outside of high school. I believe it was the reason that I got selected to receive a full ride scholarship to attend one of the finest institutions in Colorado.

Although I excelled in these completions, you do not necessarily have to win to receive something from doing science fair. Science fair builds community, you get to meet people who are excited about something just like you. Science fair helps you have a better understanding of the world around you. It allows you to pursue your greatest curiosities in life. Every scientist that is known in history today became known because they had a single idea, and they had the drive to explore it and discover the unimaginable. That can be one of our valley kids someday. Everyone must start somewhere, and science fair is a great place for kids to get a taste of science at a very young age.

Science fair has the ability to create the scientists of tomorrow, the people who will discover a new drug to cure diseases, the people battling climate change, and the people who will improve our planet and communities overall. I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am for having the opportunity to represent the San Luis Valley at all these competitions throughout my high school career. I would like to personally thank everyone who made this journey possible, and who will continue make it possible for the generations of kids to come. It is a one-of-a-kind experience, and it can change a kid’s perspective and help them in ways they never thought possible, completely redirecting their future.”

Marissa Martinez

• CSEF Finalist 2021, 2022, & 2023
• ISEF Finalist 2022 & 2023
• Science Talent Search Finalist 2023
• Monte Vista HS Graduate 2023
• Boettcher Scholarship Recipient 2023

“Science Fair helped me discover my career path. Before my junior year I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I chose a science fair project that had to do with computer science and I fell in love with it. I decided that computer engineering was what I wanted to do. I was then fortunate enough to be able to go to CSEF and ISEF with this project. Both experiences were incredible, but ISEF really stood out to me. I met so many people from around the world and even met one of last year’s winners of STS. I was able to watch a panel with a Nobel Laureate and even had the opportunity to talk with an astronaut on the International Space Station. This experience has made me push myself to be a better student and engineer.”

Maria Sears

• CSEF Finalist 2024
• ISEF Finalist 2024
• Monte Vista HS Junior 2024

Science Fair has helped me in many ways. I’ll forever be grateful for it. When I was younger in elementary school, I was extremely shy. I barely talked to people that I knew and would not even think about talking to someone that I did not know. I really struggled in elementary school because of this. I would get so stressed out that I would pull my hair out. I felt like I didn’t belong and wasn’t good at anything. I could not read, write, or do the math that the other kids in my class could do with ease. I had to have a lot of help and tutoring. There were a lot of tears over failed assignments and not being able to understand what my teachers were talking about. But then I was introduced to science fair. I did my first science fair project in 5th grade, my last year of elementary school, and found that I am good at something. I found that I belong. Science fair taught me how to work. It gave me something to hold onto. It gave me the ability to communicate with people that I have never met before. It gave me confidence. It gave me a purpose. In fifth grade after winning second place in my category; I was so happy and had a huge feeling of accomplishment. I never imagined the place I am today. I have friends, I am a successful student who is now taking advanced college classes. I am working on my sixth science fair project. I have been to the state science fair three times. I am an International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist. I finally belong. I am a scientist. Without science fair I would not be the person I am today. I am and will always be grateful for science fair.

Science Fair has been a part of my life since I was in 4th grade. Before my 8th grade year, I had 4 years of experience with the SLVRSF and yet, the fair of 2024 was different from all the others. My 8th grade year I had Mrs. Terri Paulson as my science fair sponsor, and I credit her for most of my success. Mrs. Paulson pushed me to try my hardest, encouraged and built on my ideas, and acknowledged my successes. For these reasons the SLVRSF offered an opportunity and resources that encouraged student/teacher success. The SLVRSF offered me two once in a lifetime opportunities, one of them was advancing me to compete at the CSEF. Competing at the CSEF was an amazing experience, it allowed me to absorb a higher level of science fair, see several amazing projects, and meet new people with my similar interests. The second opportunity they presented me with was the trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair. ISEF was held in Los Angeles, California. My entire trip to ISEF was completely paid for by the very generous donors. This allowed me to go watch a completely different level of science fair and prepared me for how to also compete at ISEF. These opportunities and awards have helped me gain confidence in myself for it has shown me that I can achieve amazing things with nothing but my brain and assistance from an amazing sponsor.

Jossilyn Wagar

• CSEF Finalist 2024
• ISEF Student Observer 2024
• Sargent MS 8th Grade 2024