Elementary Students (K-5)
The 2025 Elementary Science Fair winners are posted on the 2025 Winners page!
Elementary Science Fair Information Packet
View this Informational Packet to learn all about Elementary Science Fair! The packet contains information about Elementary Science Fair eligibility, awards, timeline, and more! This packet also includes a guide to the Scientific Method, a guide to Project Videos, and the NDSERSEF Elementary Science Fair Participation Waiver.
2025 Elementary Science Fair Full Packet.pdfWhat is the NDSERSEF Elementary Science Fair?
The NDSERSEF Elementary Science Fair is a program meant to inspire kids to explore science and start learning about STEM and the scientific method! Elementary Science Fair introduces kids in grades K-5 to the world of STEM and rewards them for their research! This year's Elementary Science Fair opens on November 1st, 2024 and the submission deadline is February 1st, 2025.
An Introduction to the Scientific Method
Students participating in the Elementary Science Fair complete fun and interesting science experiments following the scientific method. Students are welcome to contact Emma Kratcha (EmmaKratcha@ndsersef.org) if they have questions about the scientific method or if they need some inspiration for their project topic!
Students Learn to Communicate Their Experiments and Findings
Elementary students compete in the Elementary Science Fair by submitting videos of themselves explaining their project and the results of their project. By explaining their project, elementary students learn about presenting to others! Elementary Students who submit a video to the Elementary Science Fair will be eligible to receive awards and recognition!
Elementary Science Fair Eligibility
To compete in the Elementary Science Fair, Students must meet the following requirements:
Students must live in one of the following counties in North Dakota: Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, and Wells.
Students must be a K-5th grader.
Students must complete a science experiment individually or in a team of two (max participants per team is two).
Students competing in teams will share any top awards received.
Students must submit the required materials (teams submit one form) listed below by 11:59 p.m. on February 1st, 2025:
Student's First and Last Name
Parent/Guardian's Email Address
1-3 Minute Project Video (Project Video Guide)
Team projects must submit one video per team, not per student.
School Address (awards to be distributed)
Completed ND SERSEF Elementary Science Fair Waiver (found here or on the Project Submission Page).
Elementary Science Fair Timeline
November 1st, 2024: The Project Submission Form opens!
11:59 p.m. December 20th, 2024: Projects submitted by this date are eligible to receive door prizes.
11:59 p.m. February 1st, 2025: This is the final project submission deadline. Projects must be submitted by this date to be judged for awards.
February 1st - March 1st, 2025: Project video judging occurs during this time.
March 10th, 2025: Award winners will be announced at the ND Southeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair and posted on this website afterwards. Gold and Silver Award Winners will be notified via the email address provided in the project submission form of the opportunity to attend the 2025 ND SERSEF at the FARGODOME in advance of the event. Gold and Silver Award winners' attendance is completely optional, and all awards will be distributed regardless of attendance.
Elementary Science Fair Awards:
Students in Grades 3-5
The Gold Awards: The Gold Award will be presented to the top 5 Elementary Science Fair students in grades 3-5 for their excellent projects and presentations! Recipients of the Gold Award will receive $20 and a trophy!
The Silver Awards: The Silver Award will be presented to the 6th-10th place Elementary Science Fair students in grades 3-5 for their excellent projects and presentations! Recipients of the Silver Award will receive a trophy!
The Bronze Awards: The Bronze Award will be presented to the 11th-25th place Elementary Science Fair students in grades 3-5 for their excellent projects and presentations! Recipients of the Bronze Award will receive a medallion!
Door Prizes will also be given to randomly drawn participants who submit their project by 11:59 p.m. December 20th, 2024.
Students in Grades K-2
The Gold Award: The Gold Award will be presented to the top 3 Elementary Science Fair students in grades K-2 for their excellent projects and presentations! Recipients of the Gold Award will receive $15 and a trophy!
The Silver Award: The Silver Award will be presented to the 4th-8th place Elementary Science Fair students in grades K-2 for their excellent projects and presentations! Recipients of the Silver Award will receive a trophy!
Door Prizes will also be given to randomly drawn participants who submit their project by 11:59 p.m. December 20th, 2024.
