Join our mentor pool
Judges are part of the fair. Mentors are part of the process. They work with students long before fair day, and they’re one of the critical parts of creating the quality projects that take Alaska students to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Not every student has someone nearby who can help, so we’re building a deep pool of mentors from many fields to match with a project when a student needs one. Mentors are assigned as needs come up, so you won’t be needed every year.
Registration and paperwork are handled on zFairs. Teachers can register projects for their students at ak.zfairs.com.
Information for Teachers, Mentors, and Parents
Teachers, parents, and adult mentors play an important role in every student’s science fair project. They are the ones who foster the interest, guide, and encourage students to do their best work. In Alaska, these important adults often travel long distances with their students to attend the Science Fair.
The Alaska Science & Engineering Fair is affiliated with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The best resources for teachers and parents are located on the Regeneron ISEF website. On the ISEF site, you’ll find information such as tips, checklists, and information on forms and rules.
The teacher or adult mentor’s help is required with the students’ paperwork. For senior high, DO THE PAPERWORK FIRST! Senior high students will need help with the Scientific Review process. Please see the Students’ pages to see what forms are required:
Thank you for inspiring Alaskan kids to produce the fantastic work we see every year at the Alaska Science & Engineering Fair!
Hint for Senior High Projects!
The teacher or adult mentor’s help is required with the students’ paperwork. For senior high, DO THE PAPERWORK FIRST, BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF RESEARCH! Senior high students will also need help with the Scientific Review process.
What happens if the paperwork isn’t done first? The student or team will not be eligible for the grand prizes and will not be able to go to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, no matter how fantastic the project is.
Hint for All Grades!
Help your student prepare for a project safety check! When the student sets up the project at Registration, it must have a safety inspection. These pages extracted from the Safety Inspector Training slide show (1.3MB PDF) describe items that may not be on the project display.
The student can use items such as glass tubing, vinegar, and plant soil during research, but please don’t bring such items to the science fair. Take pictures of them! Have the student put the pictures on the display board.
Does the student need to bring these “unsafe” items at the science fair? No! Tell the student to do the project ahead of time. At the science fair, the judges care that the student can express an understanding of the project; they do not need him or her to reproduce the work in front of them.
Objects like these belong in a picture on your display board. Do not bring them to the science fair.
For students who need assistance or help from a mentor, contact a mentor.
Judging and volunteering
Teachers and mentors make great judges and volunteers. See Judges & Volunteers.