Agriscience Fair

 

2011 – 2012 Chairperson: Alan and Andrea Spencer, Red Oak

1. I.      Overview

The Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students studying the application of scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises.

 

This is a State and National Level Event.

 

1. II.    Rules

The rules and deadlines for the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair will follow those of the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa (SSTFI) found at www.sciencefairofiowa.org.

 

To remain in compliance with the rules for the National FFA Agriscience Fair, the following guidelines must be applied to each project in addition to those for the SSTFI:

 

1. 1.      The project must fit one of the following categories:
   1. a.      Animal Systems (AS)

The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry.

1. b.      Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems (ENR)

The study of systems, instruments and technology used in waste management; the study of the management of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources and their influence on the environment.

1. c.      Food Products and Processing Systems (FPP)

The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.

1. d.      Plant Systems (PS)

The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.

1. e.      Power, Structural and Technical Systems (PST)

The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding and project planning for agricultural structures.

1. f.       Social Systems (SS)

The study of human behavior and the interaction of individuals in and to society, including agricultural education, agribusiness economic, agricultural communication, agricultural leadership and other social science applications in agriculture, food and natural resources.

 

1. 2.      The project must fit one of the following divisions:
   1. a.      Division I – individual member in grades 7, 8 and 9.
   2. b.      Division II – individual member in grades 10, 11 and 12.
   3. c.      Division III - team of two members in grades 7, 8 and 9.
   4. d.      Division IV - team of two members in grades 10, 11 and 12.

 

1. 3.      NEW – Continuation projects are possible within the same division and category for the Agriscience Fair as long as the proper forms are completed.

 

1. 4.      Eligibility for National FFA Agriscience Fair participation:
   1. a.      The winning project in each category in each division will have the opportunity to submit National FFA forms to the Iowa FFA Association by June 1. 
   2. b.      Those forms will be reviewed by the Iowa FFA Association prior to submission to the National FFA on July 1.
   3. c.      A panel of judges at the national level will select the top fifteen projects in each category in each division for participation in the National FFA Agriscience Fair.

 

III.  Resource Information

1. 1.      State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa – www.sciencefairofiowa.org
2. 2.      National FFA Agricience Fair - https://www.ffa.org/Programs/Awards/AgriscienceFair/Pages/default.aspx#

 

IV.  Awards

 

State:   All Participants                         SSTFI Certificate          (Awarded in Chapter Packet at SSTFI)

 

            Each Category/Division

            1^st Place Individual                    Medallion                     (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            2^nd Place Individual                   Medallion                     (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            3^rd Place Individual                   Medallion                     (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

 

            Each Category/Division

            1^st Team Members                    Medallions                    (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            2^nd Team Members                    Medallions                    (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            3^rd Team Members                    Medallions                    (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

 

            Overall Winners

            Category Overall Winners         Ribbon                         (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            Division I                                 Plaque                          (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            Division II                                Plaque                          (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            Division III                               Plaques                         (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

            Division IV                               Plaques                         (Awarded on Stage at SSTFI)

 

All awards subject to available sponsorship through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

 

Students are NOT required to wear Official Dress during the Friday Afternoon Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair judging; however it is encouraged--this will make it easier for the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair judges to quickly find your project.  Saturday's judging is considered professional business attire (you may wear Official Dress but may be more comfortable in professional business attire).

 

YES!  You are registering to attend the SSTFI.  The Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair is only one small component of this event. All students are required to attend both days of the fair.

 

Probably -- Special Award judges will be reviewing projects at the same time.  It is customary at the SSTFI that judges will take turns speaking to you and will wait until a set of judges is finished, come back later, or join in  the current discussion.

 

ALL FFA Agriscience Fair awards will be given at the Saturday morning Special Award Ceremony. 

 

This is up to the Agricultural Education Instructor and the Science Instructor at each school.  Typically the Science Instructor (if they were the main person monitoring the project) would sign your paperwork as Adult Sponsor.  However, if the Agricultural Education Instructor was the sole adult supervisor they should be the one to sign the paperwork.  The SSTFI Officials will not care -- in the event that a student would earn a trip to the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair the Adult Sponsor that has signed the paperwork will be the person named to attend with the student (however this can be changed).

 

NO.  The National FFA Agriscience Fair Rules only allow teams of 2.  Since we will be advancing projects to this level team projects wanting to participate in the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair will only be allowed 2 team members.