Science Fair

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The annual IJAS Region 8 Science Fair at Southern Illinois University Carbondale was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at SIUC. This year, over 150 students in grades 7-12 from the southern tip of Illinois competed. 

There were nineteen different project categories from Aerospace to Behavioral Science to Health Science to Zoology. Over 150 faculty and grad students volunteered as judges from the colleges of Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Science, School of Medicine, and others. Approximately 60 projects will go on to compete in the state competition in April.

Many departments and units on campus sponsor student and school awards. Several thousand dollars in prize money is available to participating students and schools. Only schools registered with IJAS are allowed to participate.

Judging Registration is now open for 2024.

Judging Categories

Aerospace Science

AEROSPACE SCIENCE is the science of the study and investigation of the earth's atmosphere and outer space. In the wide sense, it would include the design, manufacture and operation of aircraft. Some topics that fall within this division are: the operation of rockets, guided missiles, anything related to space travel, operation and/or construction of satellites, observations of air flow patterns within tunnels, and the use of navigational equipment.

Agriculture

More information coming soon!

Astronomy

ASTRONOMY is the science dealing with all of the celestial bodies in the universe, including the planets and their satellites, comets and meteors, the stars and interstellar matter, the star systems known as galaxies, and clusters of galaxies. Modern astronomy is divided into several branches: astrometry, the observational study of the position and motions of these bodies; celestial mechanics, the mathematical study of their chemical composition and physical condition from spectrum analysis and the laws of physics; and cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole.

Behavioral Science

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE is the science that studies the demeanor or deportment of humans and other animals by means of observable response and the interpretation of the same as offered by the social sciences, sociology, psychology, etc. Some topics that fall within this division are: the effect of stimuli on organisms and their responses, learning, motivation, emotion, perception, thinking, individuality, personality, and adjustment.

Biochemistry

BIOCHEMISTRY is the branch of chemistry relating to the processes and physical properties of living organisms. Topics that fall within the biochemistry division are: the properties and reaction of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, blood, urine, vitamins, hormones, poisons, and drugs. The chemistry of absorption, digestion, metabolism, respiration, and photosynthesis as organic processes also belong in this category.

Botany

BOTANY is the division of biology that deals with plant structure, reproduction, physiology, growth, classification, and disease. Some topics included in this category are: specialization in plants, functions of various plant structures, reproduction, and heredity.

Cellular and Molecular Biology

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY is the study of the organization and functioning of the individual cell; molecular genetics focusing on the structure and function of genes at a molecular level. Other topics may include the structure and function of the immune system, innate and acquired immunity, and the interaction of antigens with antibodies. Molecular biology concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interrelationships of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and learning how these interactions are regulated.

Chemistry

CHEMISTRY is the science that deals with the structure, composition and properties of substances and of their transformations. Some topics included in this category are: the composition of various compounds, the formulation of various compounds, the study of gas laws, atomic theory, ionization theory, and the analysis of organic and inorganic products.

Computer Science

COMPUTER SCIENCE includes the study and development of computer hardware, software engineering, Internet networking and communications, graphics (including human interface), simulations/virtual reality or computational science (including data structures, encryption, coding and information theory). Topics included in this category may include: writing an original program and comparing it to an existing one, developing a new language and comparing it to an existing one, etc.

Earth Science

EARTH SCIENCE is the science concerned with the origin, structure, composition and other physical features of the earth. Some topics that fall within this division are: geology (earth composition, rock formation, fossils, minerals, and fossil fuel); geography (land forms, soils, classification of streams, erosion, and sedimentation); oceanography (ocean waves, ocean currents, composition of ocean water and coastal zone management); seismology; geophysics; and meteorology.

Engineering 

ENGINEERING is concerned with the practical application of scientific knowledge in the design, construction and operation of roads, bridges, harbors, buildings, machinery, lighting, heating, and communication systems. Some topics in this category are: stress testing of building materials, strength composition of building materials, collection of data from operating systems to compare and contrast their effectiveness.

Environmental Science

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE is the study of the protection and care of natural resources. Topics included in this category are: solar energy and its uses, water purification and usage, pollution control, soil chemistry, and insecticides. Within this area is ecology which is the study of ecological systems, and ecological population studies.

Health Science

HEALTH SCIENCE is that science concerned with the study of the human body and good health practices. Topics to be found under this category are: proper diet, care of the teeth, care of the eyes, and hygiene.

Materials Science

MATERIALS SCIENCE is the study of materials, nonmetallic as well as metallic, and how they can be adapted and fabricated to meet the needs of modern technology. Using the laboratory techniques and research tools of physics, chemistry, and metallurgy, science is finding new ways of using plastics, ceramics, and other nonmetals in applications formerly reserved for metals.

Mathematics

MATHEMATICS is the science dealing with the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities as expressed in numbers or symbols whether in the abstract or in their practical connections. Some topics included under mathematics are: arithmetic (use of numbers, symbols, and numerical systems); algebra (probability, theory of equations, progressions, permutations and combinations); geometry (topology, study of geometric figures, similar figures, and scale drawings); calculus; trigonometry and graphing.

Microbiology

MICROBIOLOGY is the branch of biology concerned with the study of microorganisms. Topics to be found in this category are: the structure and physiology of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi, and protozoa, and studies involving cells or tissues in cultures.

Physics

PHYSICS is the science that deals with the laws governing motion, matter and energy under conditions susceptible to precise observation as distinct from chemistry or sciences dealing with living matter. Topics found in the category of physics are: hydrostatic force and pressure, gravity, Newton's Laws, relativity, kinetic theory, motion forces, work, energy, sound, light, and magnetism.

 Product and Consumer Science

PRODUCT AND CONSUMER SCIENCE is the study of comparisons and evaluations of manufactured or commercial products. Topics included in this category are: taste tests, color preferences, quality control, and product efficiency.

Zoology

ZOOLOGY is the science that deals with animals with reference to their structure, functions, development, evolution, and classification. Some topics that fall within this category are: structural and functional studies of vertebrates and invertebrates, physiology, reproduction, heredity, and embryology.