AFCEA National High School Science Fair

The AFCEA Educational Foundation sponsors the best High School science project related to the communications, intelligence or information systems fields selected from science fairs nationwide. Nominations are solicited each year from AFCEA Chapters and their members.  Each AFCEA Chapter in the United States is asked to nominate one project.  In 2010, seven Chapters submitted nominees.  The Grand Prize and First Honorable Mention projects were displayed at AFCEA's LandWarNet Conference 2010 in Tampa, August 3-5, 2010. 

Please click here for a list of the 2010 HIgh School winners
Please click here for a list of the 2010 Middle School winners

Please click here for a list of the 2009 winners

Please click here for a list of the 2008 winners

Please click here for a list of the 2007 winners

Please click here for a list of the 2006 winners  

CRITERIA/PROCEDURE:  (Please follow these guidelines)

1. The nominee must be a U.S. citizen and a current high school student attending school in the United States.  Please note:  Only current high school students will be considered.  Junior high/middle school and elementary school students/projects are not eligible.

2.  The nominated project must have been developed in the current academic school year. 

3.  Each project may be entered only once.  Any project entry in the same field of study from a previous year's project entry is considered a continuation.  Please note:  Continuation projects must document that the additional research is new and significantly different from prior work (e.g., testing a new variable or new line of investigation).  Repetition of previous experimentation or increasing sample size are not acceptable continuations.  For questions or clarification, please contact Norma Corrales by Email.

4.  The project must be science- or engineering-oriented and related to the disciplines which support communications, intelligence or information systems, e.g., physics, math, electronics, robotics, electronics or computers.

5.  The student must explain his/her project to a nominator, typically a representative of the local AFCEA Chapter.  (A list of suggested questions is included with the Nomination Form.)  A standard VHS format videotape or DVD of this explanation must be submitted.

6.  Any student selected as the Grand Prize winner is ineligible for subsequent nomination.

7.  The Nomination Form must be completed with the student verifying that the project is his/her endeavor, endorsed by a teacher, and signed by the AFCEA nominator, i.e., a third party without vested interests (normally an AFCEA member or judge).

8.  The Agreement must be signed by the student's parent(s)/guardian(s), which stipulates that should the student win, one or both parents/guardians (specified) will be able to accompany the student to Tampa, FL, in August for the LandWarNet Conference.

9.  The Agreement stipulates that the First Honorable Mention student is eligible to attend the LandWarNet Conference.  One or both parents/guardians (specified) must also agree to accompany the student to Tampa, FL, in August.

10.  The AFCEA selection committee will review all projects and announce the winners in May.  The decision of the AFCEA judges will be final.  All Chapters submitting nominations will be notified as soon as the winners are selected.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

All nominated projects will be judged according to the following:

1.  Originality/creative ability

2.  Scientific/engineering significance

3.  Research/experimentation

4.  Skills/equipment/design

5.  Practicality/usefulness

6.  Presentation/clarity

7.  Relation to AFCEA disciplines

PRIZES:

1.  The Grand Prize winner along with his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) will receive a trip to Tampa, Florida.  Airfare, lodging and meals will be provided or these expenses will be paid by the AFCEA Educational Foundation.

2. The winning project will be crated and shipped to the LandWarNet Conference.  It will be placed on display in the Exhibit Hall.  After the convention, the exhibit will be returned to the student's home.  All shipping costs will be paid by the AFCEA Educational Foundation.

3.  The First Honorable Mention winner along with his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) will also be eligible to attend the LandWarNet Conference and display his/her project in the Exhibit Hall.  All related expenses will be the sole responsibility of the student and/or the nominating Chapter.

3.  A grand prize of $1,000 will be awarded for the winning project.  Additional monetary awards will be presented for Honorable Mention and Runner Up entries.

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