2015-2016 Elementary Science Fair
Categories and Descriptions (K-6)
No K-6th grade projects will be allowed at the District level in the following categories: Animal
Sciences, Behavioral and Social Science, and Biochemistry.
(Descriptions have been removed from this form, if you need them for your site fair, please look at the
Secondary categories and descriptions).
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY (Code: CB)
The study of the structure and formation of cells. Subcategories include: cellular biology, cellular and molecular genetics,
immunology, molecular biology, etc.
The study of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes and of antibiotic substances.
Subcategories include: antibiotics, antimicrobials, bacteriology, microbial genetics, virology, etc.
CHEMISTRY (Code: CH)
The science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, especially of atomic and molecular systems.
Subcategories include: Analytical chemistry, general chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, etc.
COMPUTER SCIENCE (Code: CS)
The study of information processes, the structures and procedures that represent processes, and their implementation in
information processing systems. It includes systems analysis and design, application and system software design, programming, and
datacenter operations. Subcategories include: algorithms, data bases, artificial intelligence, networking and communications,
computational science, computer graphics, software engineering, programming languages, computer system, operating system, etc.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE (Code: EA)
The study of sciences related to the planet Earth (Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology,
speleology, seismology, geography, atmospheric sciences, etc.) Subcategories include: climatology, weather, geochemistry,
mineralogy, historical paleontology, geophysics, planetary science, tectonics, etc.
ENGINEERING: (Code: EN)
Electrical and Mechanical
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of
efficient and economical structures, processes, and systems. Subcategories include: electrical engineering, computer engineering,
controls, mechanical engineering, robotics, thermodynamics, solar, etc.
Materials and Bioengineering
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of
efficient and economical machines and systems. Subcategories include: bioengineering, civil engineering, construction engineering,
chemical engineering, industrial engineering, processing, material science, etc.
ENERGY & TRANSPORTATION (Code: ET)
The study of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean transport, and alternative fuels. Subcategories include: aerospace and
aeronautical engineering, aerodynamics, alternative fuels, fossil fuel energy, vehicle development, renewable energies, etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Code: EV)
The study of managing mans' interaction with the environment. Subcategories include: bioremediation, ecosystems management,
environmental engineering, land resource management, forestry, recycling, waste management, etc.
The analysis of existing conditions of the environment. Subcategories include: air pollution and air quality, soil contamination and soil
quality, water pollution and water quality, etc.
Last Updated 9/10/15
INVENTIONS (Code: INV)
- Intermediate Invention - for grades 4th- 5th
- Middle/Junior High Invention and Robotics - for grades 6th- 8th
Students 4th -6th may participate in the invention category at both the District Science Fair and the Invention Convention
which is held at Rose State University.
An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition or process. It may be an improvement upon a machine or product, or a new
process for creating an object or a result. Inventors may try to improve something by making it more effective, healthier, faster, more
efficient, easier to use, serve more purposes, longer lasting, cheaper, etc.
Robotics is the branch of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction,
operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. Robots all
have some kind of mechanical construction, a frame, form or shape designed to achieve a particular task.
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES (Code: MA)
The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of
numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures. Mathematics is very broadly divided into foundations, algebra, analysis,
geometry, and applied mathematics, which includes theoretical computer science. Subcategories include: algebra, analysis, applied
mathematics, geometry, probability and statistics, etc.
MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES (Code: ME) (No human or animal projects)
The science of diagnosing, treating, or preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind. Subcategories include: disease diagnosis
and treatment, epidemiology, genetics, molecular biology of diseases, physiology and pathophysiology, etc.
PHYSICS / PHYSICAL SCIENCE/ ASTRONOMY (Code: PHY)
Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond
the Earth. Subcategories include: atoms, molecules, solids, astronomy, biological physics, instrumentation and electronics,
magnetics and electromagnetic, nuclear and particle physics, optics, lasers, masers, theoretical physics, theoretical or computational
astronomy, etc.
PLANT SCIENCES (Code: PS)
Study of plant life. Ecology, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, physiology, pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae,
etc. Subcategories include: agriculture/agronomy, development, ecology, genetics, photosynthesis, plant physiology, (molecular, cellular,
organismal), plant systematics, evolution, etc.
Last Updated 9/10/15