A science fair project is the answer to the question: "Why do I need to learn this stuff?"

It integrates, into one functional activity, most of the skills and arts usually taught separately in schools. When brought to completion, the project combines reading, writing, spelling, grammar, math, statistics, ethics, logic, critical thinking, computer science, graphic arts, scientific methodology, self-learning of one or more technical or specialty fields, and (if the project qualifies for formal competition) public speaking and defense in front of expert judges. It is, perhaps, the only educational activity that allows students to teach themselves, to take from the established information what they need to discover something exciting and new, and to identify and choose the tools that they need to conduct and conclude their project. When a student completes a science fair project, year after year, through junior and senior high school, the science fair process yields mature, self-confident, skilled, and competitive young leaders who have career goals and the preparation, discipline, and drive to attain them.

Participation in a science fair is one way to build student confidence, challenge potential, and instill the feeling of independent achievement.

Science fair projects can pay off in cash and open doors of opportunity.

Well-done projects generally lead to participation and often awards at Intel® ISEF-affiliated regional fairs. First-place winners at regional fairs usually have the opportunity to compete for additional awards.

Graduating high school students with records of awards for original research or engineering at the regional fair and beyond, have a distinct advantage over other college applicants in being considered and accepted by the schools of their choice. This is because science fair honors rank high among the screening factors used by admissions officer’s at most top universities.

Students who participate in regional fairs have their projects evaluated by top local scientists from research and industry. Participants whose projects are judged to be worthy of international competition will be judged by the top scientists of the world. Imagine discussing your project with a Nobel Prize winner.