Teacher Resources

Mississippi Science and Engineering Fairs

Welcome, Teachers!

Welcome to the Teacher Resources page! Here you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your Science Fair and make the most of your students experience. Whether you’re just getting started or working to finalizing your students research projects, this page is packed with helpful tools, tips, and guidelines to guide you through the process. 

Society for Science High School Research Teachers Conference Lottery  and the Society for Science Middle School Research Teachers Conference Lottery is open! Sign up by July 18, 2025 for the chance to attend this conference for free! 

Getting Your Students Started

  • Project Guidelines & Rules
    Before you start, make sure you are familiar with the official science fair rules and regulations. These guidelines cover project categories, ethical standards, and safety protocols. Download the full set of rules here.
  • Helping Your Students Choose a Topic
    A project should be based on a topic that sparks a student’s curiosity. Whether they are interested in biology, chemistry, engineering, or environmental science, the possibilities are endless! Use this topic brainstorming guide to explore ideas.
  • Review Best Practices
    The scientific and engineering methods are the foundation of any project. Review this simple guide to help you get started and determine the best practices you will need before you start.

Planning Your Project

  • Project Timeline
    To help students stay on task throughout their project, a timeline is essential for both the teacher and student. Break it down into manageable steps, from brainstorming to creating a presentation. Make sure to give students plenty of time for research, testing, and refining their project. Set key dates for each milestone of the project from development to project submission, along with dates of the regional and state fair dates and deadlines.

  • Project Paperwork
    Before a student starts their experiments, make sure the proper paperwork necessary for the research has been completed. Some forms require approval and signatures before experimenting begins.

  • Research Tips
    Good research is the backbone of every successful science fair project. Check out these research tips for finding credible sources, gathering data, and staying organized.

    • Use the ISEF Abstract Repository as a resource for research topics from past ISEF projects. It is also a good way to learn how to format and write abstracts. 
  • Data Collection & Analysis
    Collecting and analyzing data can be the most exciting part of a project! Learn how to organize your results and make meaningful conclusions with this data collection tips video.  Remind students to take pictures of their methodology/data collection/results for their board.   

Creating A Display

  • Project Display Guidelines
    The display is a key part of the student’s presentation. Be sure to follow the display guidelines for size, layout, and materials. A well-organized display will help you clearly communicate your project to judges and visitors.
  • Design Tips for Your Board
    Create an eye-catching and informative presentation. Keep it neat, simple, and focused on your key findings.

    • Keep paragraph-writing to a minimum
    • Adequate spacing after each line is essential for clarity
    • Bulleted information is easier to read (including materials and methodology)
    • No logos from universities or mentors
    • No QR codes
    • ONE line is allowed for acknowledgements but no mention of the mentor’s company/university. An example is ‘I would like to thank ‘insert name only’ for their assistance on this research project. A header with the word ‘Acknowledgement’ must be utilized. Click the sample poster for a potential layout of the board.

Presentation & Judging

  • How to Present a Science Research Project
    Presenting a project to judges is an important part of the experience. Confidence comes when a student has practiced their presentation in front of various types of audiences (parents, peers, teachers).
  • What Judges Look For
    Judges are looking for creativity, scientific accuracy, and a clear understanding of your topic. Review these judging criteria to make sure your project meets expectations. Remember, 55% of a research project is judged on of how well a student presents and their creativity in the process.

  • Handling Questions
    Be prepared for questions during your presentation. Review this video to answering judges’ questions to help students feel confident and articulate.
  • Project Board Presentations (ISEF)

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