FFA Agriscience Fair


National FFA emblem

 

IOWA FFA AGRISCIENCE FAIR

Welcome!

In order to participate and be eligible for prizes in the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair:

  • You MUST be an Iowa FFA Member (membership will be verified by the Iowa FFA Association)
  • You MUST participate in the State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa (SSTFI) & follow all rules, guidelines and deadlines of the SSTFI.
  • Registration is done through the SSTFI Registration
  • You MUST complete the SSTFI paperwork (SRC and permission forms)
  • You do NOT need to submit National FFA Agriscience Fair paperwork for this Event. 
  • IF a project is selected to participate in the National FFA Agriscience Fair you will be required to submit the National FFA Agriscience Fair paperwork to the Department of Education by May 15th 

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).

Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair Categories & Divisions:

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)

BIOCHEMISTRY/MICROBIOLOGY/FOOD SCIENCE CATEGORIES

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.

Examples:

• Compare yeast fermentation techniques for converting sugars to alcohol

• Resistance of organic fruits to common diseases

• Control of molds on bakery products

 

BOTANY (PLANT/SOIL SCIENCE)

The study of plant life such as agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.

Examples:

• 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

  
ENGINEERING (MECHANICAL/AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE)

This area includes technology and projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, environmental engineering, etc.

Examples:

• Develop alternate energy source engines

• Absorption media for plant materials

• Compare various tillage methods for energy efficiency

• Investigation of light energy sources 

  
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

The study of pollution (i.e., air, water and land) sources and their control. Other areas of ecology are applied here.

Examples:

• 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

  
ZOOLOGY (ANIMAL SCIENCE)

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.

Examples:

• 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)

 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Section:

Do FFA Members participating in the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair need to wear Official Dress?

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).

Do FFA Members participating in the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair need to participate both days of the fair?

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.

Will I have other judges besides the Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair judges on Friday Afternoon?

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.

When will Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair Awards be given?

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.

Who should sign as Adult Sponsor if two teachers have monitored the project?

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).

The SSTFI allows teams to have up to 3 members, can Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair teams be teams of 3?

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.