30th Annual San Francisco Middle School Science Fair

Each February, the Randall Museum plays host to a remarkable gathering of the City's young scientific talent. Last school year brought the 29th annual San Francisco Middle School Science Fair! Special thanks to 2011 Science Fair sponsors Genentech, the United States Geological Survey, and Randall Museum Friends.

Members of the public are able to view the projects during regular Museum hours (10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday... Closed Sunday-Monday) after the judging is complete and before project check-out: between Friday, February 24 and Friday, March 2. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 a.m.; students placing 1st through 3rd in their grade and category groups will be recognized onstage.

All public and private middle schools (grades 6 to 8) in San Francisco are invited to participate. We hosted 210 entries done by 266 students at twenty-nine schools this year. Teachers: If your school would like to participate this year and did not receive information email the Fair coordinator to be added to our teacher mailing list. You do not have to host a fair at your school for your students to qualify for this county-level fair, but you do have to RSVP in advance and receive an entry quota.

Homeschoolers age 11 to 14 residing in San Francisco and doing science at the 6th to 8th grade level may also enter. You are encouraged to contact the Fair coordinator if you would like to enter. All projects must be supervised by a credentialed science teacher or qualified scientist. The goal of the Fair is to emphasize the joy and accessibility of science and participation over competition; therefore, winners are not awarded cash prizes, but instead are offered a day trip to a Bay Area location of educational and entertainment interest (last year, we took a science cruise on the Bay with Call of the Sea). The judging criteria are designed to reflect these goals. Seventh and eighth grade winners can also qualify to enter the San Francisco Bay Area Science Fair. All participants receive a ribbon and a certificate of achievement.

Important Guides and Links:

Click here to read the 2011 Science Fair report.

2011-2012 Science Fair Calendar

Student's Guide to the San Francisco Science Fair

Teacher's Guide to the San Francisco Science Fair

San Francisco Bay Area Science Fair (regional fair one level above this fair)

Science Fair Rules & Guidelines