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Murray PTA

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About District Science & Engineering Fair

Each year, all schools in the Murray School District have the opportunity to participate in a Science and Engineering Fair. Students compete in three divisions: the Elementary Division for 5th and 6th graders, the Junior Division for 7th and 8th graders, and the Senior Division for 9th through 12th grade. Each school’s fair is funded and organized by its school PTA and PTA Science Fair Coordinator. This allows each school to tailor its fair to best meet the needs of its students and school community. In late January or early February, the District holds a Science and Engineering Fair where the top winners from each school have the opportunity to compete at the district level. District-level winners may then advance to the University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair(USEF), held in February.

Summary Details

  • A science fair project  answers the question, “Why do I need to learn this?” It transforms passive classroom learning into an active, hands-on experience where students become the experts. Participating in a science fair can help students build confidence, challenge themselves, and experience the satisfaction of independent achievement. Science fair projects can also open doors to exciting opportunities, including awards and scholarships. Senior Division Grand Prize winners may have the opportunity to compete for additional awards and scholarships at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

  • Murray High School

    Hillcrest Junior High

    Riverview Junior High

    Horizon Elementary School 

    Liberty Elementary School

    Longview Elementary School 

    McMillan Elementary School

    Parkside Elementary School

    Viewmont Elementary School

    District Science Fair:  February 8, 2027

    University of Utah (USEF): March 10-13, 2027

  • There is no single required project workbook for the Science and Engineering Fair. Some schools may have a specific workbook or format they would like students to use. Below are several project workbooks and resources that are used by schools in the district, along with other helpful options. DOUG for this section I have some PDF’s. I am not sure what the best way is to include them, probably something that they can click on and then the pdf opens up to them? I can send the PDF’s to you but let me know how is best to handle this.

  • Including a graph is an important part of a successful science fair project. A graph helps you clearly show and explain the data you collected during your experiment.

    Be sure to include your graph on your project board. This is a necessary step in presenting a strong science fair project!

    graph example for science project​​​​​​​

  • configuration diagram for how display boards are to look

  • The same judging rubric will be used by judges at the school, district, and University of Utah levels.

    Please review the rubric carefully and make sure your project addresses each section. Understanding the judging criteria will help you prepare a strong project and presentation.

  • Additional paperwork is required for projects advancing to the District Science and Engineering Fair.

    Elementary & Junior Divisions

    Grades 5–8

    Students in the Elementary and Junior Divisions should complete the required forms for their projects.

    Elementary & Junior Division Forms
    Download the required forms

    Senior Division

    Grades 9–12

    All Senior Division students are required to complete the necessary paperwork for their projects before participating in the District Fair.

    Senior Division students must register through the University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair (USEF) system. After registration, the required forms will be provided based on the student's project.

    Access the USEF registration system

  • Overall

    Murray School District PTA Science Fair Coordinator | Chela Gale | ptasciencemurray@gmail.com

    The University of Utah Engineering Fair (USEF) | Fair Coordinator: Jody Oostema |  jody.oostema@utah.edu

    Individual School PTA Contacts:

    Grant

    Horizon

    Liberty

    Longview

    McMillan

    Parkside

    Viewmont

    Hillcrest

    Riverview

    Murray High

Research Categories

  • Science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods.


     

  • Studies the structure, function, intracellular pathways, and formation of cells. Studies involve understanding life and cellular processes specifically at the molecular level. Study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes. Studies focusing on the structure and function of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living cells.

  • Studies involving the application of engineering principles to the fields of biology and medicine. Includes design and development of medical devices, diagnostics, and drugs, including antimicrobial and antibiotic substances. Includes cellular and tissue engineering and cell therapy systems.

  • Studies exploring the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter not
    involving biochemical systems. Study of chemical basis of processes occurring in living organisms,
    including the processes by which these substances enter into, or are formed in, the organisms and react
    with each other and the environment.
     

  • Studies that focus on the science and engineering that involve structure. Includes the planning, designing, construction, and maintenance of structures and public works, such as bridges or dams, roads, water supply, sewer, flood control, and traffic. Studies involving renewable energy sources & processes, clean transport, and alternative fuels. Includes alternative fuels, computational energy science, fossil fuel energy, fuel cells and battery development, microbial fuel cells, hydro power, nuclear power, solar power, sustainable design, thermal power, wind.

  • Studies involving algorithms and databases, software and hardware development, computer simulations,
    and computer graphics. Includes the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical
    methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of various
    systems, such as biological, behavior and social, weather, etc.

  • Studies involving the technology of electricity, especially the design and application of circuitry and equipment for power generation and distribution, machine control, and communications. Includes design and development of computer hardware.

  • Studies of the environment and its effect on organisms/systems, including investigations of biological processes such as growth and life span, as well as studies of Earth systems and their evolution. Includes atmospheric science, climate science, environmental effects on ecosystems, geosciences, and water science. Studies that engineer or develop processes and infrastructure to solve environmental problems in the supply of water, the disposal of waste, or the control of pollution.

  • Studies that focus on the science and engineering that involve movement. The movement can be by the apparatus or the movement can affect the apparatus. Includes aerospace and aeronautical engineering, computational mechanics, control theory, ground vehicle systems, industrial engineering-processing, mechanical engineering, naval systems. Study of the characteristics and uses of various materials with improvements to their design, which may add to their advanced engineering performance.

  • Studies specifically designed to address issues of human or animal health and disease. It includes studies
    on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention or epidemiology of disease and other damage to the human or
    animal body or mental systems. Includes studies of normal functioning and may investigate internal as
    well as external factors such as feedback mechanisms, stress or environmental impact on human or
    animal health and disease. Studies involving the application of engineering principles to the fields of
    biology and medicine. Includes development of medical devices, diagnostics, and drugs, including
    antimicrobial and antibiotic substances.

  • The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. The study of anything in the
    universe beyond the Earth. Study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and
    sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract
    constructs, or structures.

     

  • Studies of plants and how they live, including structure, physiology, development, and classification.
    Includes plant cultivation, ecology, genetics and plant breeding, pathology, systematics, and evolution.