Regional and State Science Fair Business Plan Summary (Oct 2008 ) 

Background

After a decade hiatus, a group of University of Wisconsin - Madison professors brought back to Wisconsin the science & engineering fair.

Since incorporation in 2001, the Wisconsin Science Education Foundation (WiSEF) has focused on expanding original science research efforts in high school aged students and providing the opportunity to compete.  The primary program of WiSEF, the Badger State Science and Engineering Fair (BSSEF) and is open to all Wisconsin high school students.

From 1955-1999, Wisconsin students participated in the Southeastern Wisconsin Science & Engineering Fair. At that time, students advanced to the National Science & Engineering Fair (est. 1950) which graduated to the International Scinece & Engieering Fair (ISEF) in 1959. Now, over 1500 students from 51 countries compete for scholarships, prizes, and opportunities to work with the most prestigious of companies and laboratories in the world.

In addition to promoting increased participation in the BSSEF, WiSEF seeks to create a system of regional science fairs to encourage students to participate in multiple levels of competition. Student winners from the regional fairs and the state fair have an opportunity to progress to the International Science & Engineering Fair to compete.

The Wisconsin Science Education Foundation (WiSEF) is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire enthusiasm for science research among Wisconsin students.

Few Opportunities for Wisconsin Students

Of the approximately 1500 student participants at the International Fair (ISEF), Wisconsin has one of the lowest levels of participation.

Why so low?  To compete at the ISEF level, a student must win a competition at a local/regional or state fair that meets certain criteria for ISEF affiliation.

Benefits to the State of Wisconsin

• A strong science education program for Wisconsin public education.
• A strong science education program for Wisconsin economic growth.
• A strong science education system to lure technology based enterprise to Wisconsin.
• An educated work-force to entice new manufacturing and technology based business to invest in Wisconsin.

The Strategic Plan

Through its recently developed strategic plan, WiSEF has defined a roadmap for the development, promotion and support for the growth of the Badger State Fair as well as the implementation of a system of regional science fairs throughout the state of Wisconsin.

In the course of the past months, WiSEF has recruited a number of key Board Directors, expanded its base of community support and identified a committed individual to lead the initial implementation of the plan.

The three-year strategic plan calls for the addition of a part-time director to staff the organization and implement the steps necessary to create a state-wide science fair system comprised of seven regions:

• Year One:         One New Regional Fair
• Year Two:         Two Additional Regional Fairs
• Year Three:       Three Additional Regional Fairs

The Strategic Plan - Success

A part-time director was first hired for the 2006-2007 fair season.  Strides were made immeditely; fair participation grew by 20%, a second regional fair began, and the basic structure of the organization was completed. The second part-time fair director was hired for the 2007-2008 fair season. In that year sponsorship grew by 70%, fair participation grew by 15%, and two additional regional fairs began.  In addition, through the efforts of the organization, a few school districts began to change the requirments for senior students with regard to science graduation requirements.  In the 2008-2009 fair season, four (4) additional school districts now require a senior science project for graduation, several student organziations have partnered with WiSEF like 4-H, the Society of Women Engineers student mentoring committee, the Boy Scout Explorer program, to name a few; and three (3) additional regional fairs are scheduled.