The Official Site of the
Flathead County Science Fair
the 2024 fair was
Thursday, March 7, 2024
See you next year!
Information
Form for teacher information (so you can fill out the online registration form) and parent permission slip
for the county fair with information for parents and students - click here
Human Consent Forms for Experiments using people - click here
Filled out example of a Human Consent Form - click here
Want to make your science fair posterboard and print it out at Instyprints, The Kalispell Copy Center, or
your neighborhood copy center? - click here
Looking for Rubrics for the Science Fair? - Scroll down on this page.
Want to know the difference between an experiment and an engineering project? Check out the Fair Blog.
Have a question you can't find the answer to? - click on Contact Us.
Want to register for the Fair? - click on Registration and then on Sign Up!
Looking for the Science Fair Schedule? Scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Want information on the Regional Science Fair in Butte on March 2, 2023? No Fair in Butte this year!
This is only for High School students (9th-12th grades)
Want information about the Montana State Science Fair in Missoula on April 4-5, 2024? Click here!
This is for students in grades 6-12.
Rubrics - New rubrics coming for the 2025 fair - please check back
The following are links to PDF files of the rubrics the judges will use for each age group and category. They are available for download in order to help students prepare well for the science fair.
3rd - 4th Grade:
- Collection, Model, or Demonstration
5th Grade:
6th - 12th Grade:
Project Rules and Expectations
1. Size of Display: Maximum of 48 inches wide, 48 inches high and 30 inches deep.
2. Abstract: The Abstract should be displayed on the front wing of the display board, in the lower left corner. The abstract should be a maximum of 250 words.
NOT ALLOWED TO BE SHOWN WITH PROJECT:
**Please use photographs, videos, and data to present your project at the fair rather than the actual artifacts you used in your experiment.**
3. Organisms: No living creatures, including animals, plants and microorganisms can be displayed. No type of cultured growth, spoiled food, or molds can be displayed. Please provide pictures instead.
4. Tissue: No human or animal tissues or body fluid can be displayed.
5. Food: No human/animal food may be displayed.
6. Chemicals: No toxic chemicals can be displayed.
7. Batteries: No open cell batteries may be displayed.
8. Specimen: No taxidermy parts, preserved animals (vertebrate or invertebrate), or embryos can be displayed.
9. Photographs: No visual presentations of surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies or other lab techniques depicting vertebrate animals or humans in other than everyday conditions may be displayed.
10. Solid Waste: No solid waste or other waste material may be displayed.
11. Sharp items: No syringes, needles, pipettes or other sharp instruments may be displayed.
12. Controlled substances: Poisons, drugs, controlled substances, explosives, hazardous devices or weapons may NOT be displayed.
13. Dry Ice: Dry ice or sublimating solids that vaporize to a gas without passing through a liquid phase may not be displayed.
14. Fire: No open flames or highly combustible materials may be displayed.
15. Tanks: Tanks, full or empty, used for storage of combustible gases or liquids are not allowed.
16. Machinery: No unshielded belts, chains, pulleys or other hazardous moving parts may be displayed.
17. Lasers: Only class II lasers with proper warning labels displayed are allowed. No class III or IV lasers.
18. Heat Source: Materials heated above 100 degrees Fahrenheit are not allowed.
19. Electric Current: No unshielded high voltage equipment, large vacuum tubes, ray-generating devices, bare wires and knife switches carrying current of more than 125v, or exposed sparks will be allowed.
20. Embellishments: Awards, medals, business cards, and personal information are not allowed.
Please check out this link - Montana State Science Fair Rules and Regulations if you have questions.
CAN DISPLAY WITH PROJECT *(In totally enclosed containers):
21. Soil samples
22. Dried Plant material
23. Teeth, hair, nails, dried animal bones, histological dry mount sections or mounted slides are allowed.
24. Water and non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-odorous aqueous solutions, and edible oils
*A totally enclosed container is one that is constructed of glass or plastic and has a secure lid or top, or plastic films that can be sealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend?
- Eligible students in grades 3 - 12 that have received the top scores in their local school science fair.
How many judges will each student have?
- Each student registered for the Flathead County Science Fair will be judged in one of two ways:
1. By a team of two to three judges all at once
OR 2. By two to three judges individually.
Students with top scores in their category may be judged a second time to determine champion and reserve.
Will all students receive feedback and an award?
- Yes. All teachers will receive their student’s rubric sheets and first, second or third place ribbons after the awards ceremony on fair day.
What is the award ceremony?
- All students will be recognized at the Awards ceremony and the top students in each grade and cateogry will receive either a Grand Champion or Reserve Champion medal.
What are the categories at the County Fair?
- 3rd and 4th Grades may enter projects in the Model, Demonstration, or Collection area OR Experiment (Biological or Physical)
- 5th Grade may enter Experiments Only! They will fit into one of two categories: Physical or Biological
-6th - 12th Grades may enter Experiments (Biological or Physical) OR Engineering projects.
Are students allowed to work in teams?
-Students may work in teams at any grade level to prepare and present their project. Each member of the team will receive a ribbon and prize where applicable.
Student supervision is required all day. No dropping off of students without a parent or teacher. Teachers, please make sure your students have books to read and are supervised at all times.
Disruptive behavior, especially in regard to electronic devices, will be addressed.
Science Fair Schedule
Wednesday, March 6, 2024: Set Up 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Students check in, set up their display board and pay registration fee
$12 per student due at check in (Checks made out to STEAM Alliance)
Thursday, March 7, 2024: 8:30AM - 2:00PM
8:30AM - Judges arrive
9:00AM - Students arrive
9:15AM - Judging begins
11:30 - Lunch (no concessions available, bring your own lunch)
12:00-1:00 Science Program
Awards: roughly 1:00PM
2:00 - return to school