IOWA FFA AGRISCIENCE FAIR
Welcome!
In order to participate and be eligible for prizes in the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair:
NOTE: Due to National FFA Agriscience Fair Guidelines any student that advanced to the National FFA Agriscience Fair in a previous year MUST participate in a different category in a different division this year. (Just so you know you are not alone we believe this is one of the dumbest rules ever also).
There are divisions specific to the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair that you will be automatically assigned to by grade designation and project classification (individual or team). These Divisions are:
Division I: 7-9 grade Individual Project
Division II: 10-12 grade Individual Project
Division III: 7-9 grade Team Project
Division IV: 10-12 grade Team Project
There are categories specific to the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair that you will be asked to select during on-line registration. These categories are:
Biochemistry
Botany
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Zoology
(see below for more specifics)
This involves the biology of microorganisms such as bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi bacterial genetics and yeast. This area can also include the following: chemistry of life processes such as molecular biology; molecular genetics; enzymes; photosynthesis; protein chemistry; food chemistry; hormones, etc.
• Compare yeast fermentation techniques for converting sugars to alcohol
• Resistance of organic fruits to common diseases
• Control of molds on bakery products
The study of plant life such as agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.
• Effect of substrate particle size on shiitake mushroom growth
• Effects of heavy metals such as cadmium on edible plants
• Effect of ultraviolet light on soil microbes
• Effects of lunar climate and soil condition on plant growth
• Compare plant growth between hydroponics and conventional methods
This area includes technology and projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, environmental engineering, etc.
• Develop alternate energy source engines
• Absorption media for plant materials
• Compare various tillage methods for energy efficiency
• Investigation of light energy sources
The study of pollution (i.e., air, water and land) sources and their control. Other areas of ecology are applied here.
• Effect of agricultural chemicals on water quality
• Effects of cropping practices on wildlife populations
• Compare irrigation systems for energy efficiency
• Research uniform water quality standards
• Compare water movements through different soil types
The study of animals including animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, entomology, animal ecology, paleontology, cellular physiology, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology, invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates, etc.
• Compare nutrient levels on animal growth
• Research new disease control mechanisms
• Effects of estrous synchronization on ovulation
• Compare effects of thawing temperatures on livestock semen
• Effects of growth hormone on meat/milk production
Still Confused? (Quite frankly you are not alone): Here are some examples --
11th grade student (1 person) studying a particular nutrient in livestock feed on meat production would be considered:
Division II, Zoology (you select the category, division determined by grade and project type)
A team of 2, 9th grade students studying corn borer effects on hybrid seed corn would be considered:
Division III, Botany (again you select the category, division determined by grade and project type)
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.
The majority of these awards will be given at the Saturday morning Special Award Ceremony. The top winners/those winning trips to the National FFA Agriscience Fair will be announced during the Grand Award Ceremony on Saturday evening.
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 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.
