Student Resources
Students Join the STEAM Expo!
In order to advance equitable access to inquiry-based learning, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education invites you to participate in the Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo in March 2025! More than just a Science Fair, the STEAM Expo offers students the opportunity to compete, exhibit, and receive feedback on your projects, while also providing engaging activities for the whole family.
Getting Started on a Project
Step 1: Select a topic and project type. Use Getting Started With Research and Project Categories to help choose a topic.
Step 2: Develop a Research Plan that outlines your materials needed, and what you will do in your investigation or engineering design.
Step 3: Check the Safety Guidelines below to see if you need prior approval before starting your investigation.
Step 4: Use the Resources below as you go though your investigation or engineering design.
Step 3: Register for the STEAM Expo by February 22, 2025!
Looking for a mentor?
Contact Dr. Wygant at hwygant@santacruzcoe.org
Use the resources below to make sure you have everything you need to complete your project!
Project Resources
- Writing a Proposal Tips for writing your proposal (which includes a research question, hypothesis, and method/procedure)
- Check Do I need Safety Review?: Flowchart showing if you need Safety Review Approval prior to experimentation
Safety
As an ISEF Affiliated fair, all projects must follow and abide by the the Safety Regulations at the International Rules for Pre-college Science Research
Safety Regulations apply to ALL students, though only grades 6-12 must submit SRC pre-approval paperwork.
- Restricted Projects Projects that may require prior safety review & approval, and/or additioanl paperwork
- Do I need Safety Review?: Flowchart showing if you need Safety Review Approval prior to experimentation
Additional Resources
- Slides Template for Display Board- Science: please make a copy and you can use this to create your display
- Slides Template for Display Board- Invention/Engineering:please make a copy and you can use this to create your display
Judging
- Judging Rubric : This is the Rubric judges will use to evaluate your project. Tabs on the bottom for each grade band: elementary, middle and high school