Categories


Below is a list of the the different project types that are acceptable at the SSTFI.

Note:  Senior High Team projects compete within one of the categories listed below with Individual projects.

Senior High

Animal Sciences

Study of animals –

  • Development
  • Ecology
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Pathology
  • Physiology
  • Population Genetics
  • Systematics
  • Other

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Human behavior, social and community relationships – 

  • Clinical & Developmental Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Other

Biochemistry 

  • General Biochemistry
  • Metabolism
  • Structural Biochemistry
  • Other

Cellular & Molecular Biology 

  • Cellular Biology
  • Cellular & Molecular Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Other

Chemistry

Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it – 

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • General Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Other

Computer Science

  • Algorithms, Data Bases
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Networking and Communications
  • Computational Science, Computer Graphics
  • Software Engineering, Programming Languages
  • Computer System, Operating System
  • Other

Earth & Planetary Sciences 

  • Climatology, Weather
  • Geochemistry, Mineralogy
  • Paleontology
  • Geophysics
  • Planetary Science
  • Tectonics
  • Other

Engineering

Technology: projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses – bioengineering, civil, construction, chemical, industrial, processing, material science, electrical, computer, controls, mechanical, thermodynamics, solar, robotics, etc.

NOTE:  The SSTFI does not split out Engineering into two categories as ISEF does.

  • Bioengineering
  • Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls
  • Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering, Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Robotics
  • Thermodynamics, Solar
  • Other

Energy & Transportation

  • Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering, Aerodynamics
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Fossil Fuel Energy
  • Vehicle Development
  • Renewable Energies
  • Other

Environmental Sciences 

NOTE:  The SSTFI does not split out Environmental Sciences into two categories as ISEF does.

  • Air Pollution & Air Quality
  • Bioremediation
  • Ecosystems Management
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Land Resource Management, Forestry
  • Recycling, Waste Management
  • Soil Contamination and Soil Quality
  • Water Pollution and Water Quality
  • Other

Mathematical Sciences 

  • Algebra
  • Analysis
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Geometry
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Other

Medicine and Health

Study of diseases and health of humans – 

  • Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology of Diseases
  • Physiology and Pathophysiology
  • Other

Microbiology

Biology of microorganisms – 

  • Antibiotics, Antimicrobials
  • Bacteriology
  • Microbial Genetics
  • Virology
  • Other

Physics & Astronomy 

  • Atoms, Molecules, Solids
  • Astronomy
  • Biological Physics
  • Instrumentation and Electronics
  • Magnetics and Electromagnetics
  • Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • Optics, Lasers, Masers
  • Theoretical Physics, Theoretical or Computational Astronomy
  • Other

Plant Sciences

Study of plant life – 

  • Agronomy
  • Development
  • Ecology
  • Genetics
  • Photosynthesis
  • Plant Physiology (Molecular, Cellular, Organismal)
  • Plant Systematics, Evolution
  • Other

 

Junior High

Biological Sciences

Biology is the science of life (from the Greek words bios = life and logos = reasoned account). It is concerned with the characteristics and behaviors of organisms, how species and individuals come into existence, and the interactions they have with each other and with their environment. Biology encompasses a broad spectrum of academic fields that are often viewed as independent disciplines. Together, they study life over a wide range of scales.

Examples: Animal Biology, Bacteriology, Behavioral & Social Science, Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Entomology, Environment, Evolution, Genetics, Immunology, Marine Biology, Medicine & Health, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Neuroscience, Paleontology, Parasitology, Physiology, Plant Biology, Virology, Zoology

Physical Sciences

Physical Sciences are concerned with understanding of the material universe and its phenomena.

Examples: Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and depending on the focus of the project Environmental Sciences.

Team Projects

Study conducted by two or three students in any discipline.

Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair

FFA Agriscience Fair students will need to select both their SSTFI Category as listed here AND an FFA Agriscience Fair Category as listed on the FFA Agriscience Fair page and below.

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