Middle School Science Fair
Welcome to the Middle School Science Fair Program
The West Linn-Wilsonville Middle School Science Fair is a program of the CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium. This fair program is affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Here is an overview of the middle school science fair timeline:
2025-2026 Science Fair Season Dates:
- Connect with the science fair club leader for your school: September - November
- Officially register for the science fair (notify your club leader of your intent to compete): December 1
- Turn in your Research Proposal: January 8
- Your club leader may require it earlier if your project involves bacteria, humans, or animals
- Turn in your Slideshow about your project (use this template) to Danielle Schroeder: February 21
- Project Set Up: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 3-6pm at Wilsonville High School
- Bring your poster, props, and logbook with you (display regulations available here)
- Science Fair Judging Day: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ Wilsonville High School ~11am-3:15pm, more information to follow
- Science Fair Award Ceremony: Monday, March 16, 2026 @ Meridian Creek Middle School 6-7pm, more information to follow
Those selected to advance from the WLWV Middle School Science Fair to the Northwest Science Expo (State Science Fair) will be announced during the award ceremony. NWSE will take place in April, the specific date and time are yet to be determined. Projects may also be nominated to apply for Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (a national science fair program).
The Independent Student's Science Fair Manual
Science Fair students and parents who are looking to start a science fair project independently from their school should use this manual to guide the process.
Science Fair Clubs at Each School
Each middle school has its own school program. If any students or parents would like to participate in the district's science fair, please reach out via email to the staff member listed below:
- Athey Creek Middle School - Danielle Schroeder
- Meridian Creek Middle School - Laura Elia and Becca Strohm
- Rosemont Ridge Middle School - Jessaymn VanHook
- Inza Wood Middle School - Sarah Haefner
- Three Rivers Charter School/Homeschool/WKOA - Danielle Schroeder
To learn more about judging at the fair please click here: Judge Registration
Idea Development and Getting Started
- 4 Methods for Brainstorming a Science Fair Project (Word or PDF)
- ScienceBuddies Topic Selection Wizard
- ScienceBuddies Science Fair Tips for Success
- ScienceBuddies What Makes a Great Science Logbook? (PDF or website)
- Your Research Question (PDF or website)
- Finding and Accessing Scientific Papers (PDF or website)
- How to Read a Scientific Paper (PDF or website)
- Background Research Plan Worksheet
- Some helpful engineering project ideas
Research or Engineering Plan
- Your Project Question
- Variables in Your Science Fair Project
- A Strong Hypothesis
- Experimental Procedure
- How to Increase Ability of Experiment to Measure an Effect
- Advanced Experimental Design
- Engineering/Programming Project Tips
- Bibliography Worksheet
Experimentation and Invention
Presentation Preparation
- How to Write an Abstract
- Data Presentation Tips
- Science Fair Judging--Science Buddies