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2012 Fair Special Awards

Over 250 Special Awards are available!  Special Awards are sponsored by corporations, professional organizations, and individuals. Each organization sets the criteria for the awards they offer.

 

Many thanks to all the organizations and judges who contribute time and money to make these awards possible.  Contact specialawards@science-fair.org for more information.

 
 
Organization - Criteria Qualifying Grade Category Teams Awards
Al Foster Award - Most creative project in 6th grade 6 All Yes $50 to winner and $50 to winner's school

 American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, Northern California branch     -best animal science investigation

6-12 Environmental Science, Zoology,  Medicine, Health & Gerontology Yes 1st Place $150,          2nd Place $125,         3rd Place $150

American Chemical Society, , Santa Clara Valley Local Section-excellent projects in checmistry, biochemistry or environmental sciences

6-12 Biochemistry & Microbiology, Chemistry Yes 1st Place $500,          2nd Place $200,         3rd Place $100

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Intelligent Systems Award -

9-12 Physics, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering, Computers & Math Yes Award: Student membership to AIAA, certificate, and programmable robots

American Meteorological Society- winning project limited to the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrological sciences.

6-12 Enviromental Sciences, Physical Sciences Yes Certificates of Achievement

American Psychological Association - Outstanding research in psychology

6-12 Behavioral & Social Sciences Yes Certificates of Achievement,            MS 1st place  $25,       HS 1st place $50

American Society of Civil Engineers  - Outstanding projects in civil engineering

6-12 Environmental Science, Physics, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering Yes 2 sets awarded, grades 6-8 and 9-12: 1st Place $100 & $50 to teacher, 2nd Place $50, 3rd Place $25 and Certificates of Achievement to all

American Vacuum Society, Northern CA Chapter  Outstanding research with use of vacuum technology

9-12 Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Engineering Yes 1st Place $100, 2nd place $50, 3rd Place $25, certificates to all

Apatite to Zircon, Inc.. Award

9-12 Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Engineering No 1st place $50 and book, 2nd place $30 and book

ASM International A Society for Materials

 Best projects with ingenuity in materials engineering, metallurgy and materials and processes, demonstre Materials paradigm, scientific method clear, layout of project.

6-12 Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Engineering Yes 2 sets awarded, grades 6-8 and 9-12: 1st Place $100 & ISEF cert & medallion mailed from ASM Ed Fun, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50, magazine subscription and Certificates of Achievement to all

Association for Women Geoscientists San Francisco Bay Area Chapter  - Best project innovative in geoscience by female student

6-12 Environmental Sciences, Earth & Space Sciences Yes 1st Place Student Award Banquet, gift certificate,  and 1 year membership; 2nd Place Certificate of Excellence.  - female student

Association for Women in Science, Palo Alto Chapter - Best high school science project by an individual female student.

9-12 Botany, Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics, Bioinformatics No HM Certificates, goody bag, 1st Place $100 cash, certificate, goody bag

California Association of Professional Scientists   - Best use of scientific method.

7-11 Botany, Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Sciences No Plaque and $100

California Society for Biomedical Research - Ron Orta Excellence in Biomedical Research Award - Best use of biomedical models to improve the health or quality of life of humans and animals

9-12 Zoology, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology Yes $500 savings bond and plaque

Common Ground Organic Garden Supply & Education Center -Outstanding project demonstrating ecological awareness.

6-8 Environmental Sciences No Gardening Book & $31 class voucher

Davitily Award - Best Mathematical Data Presentation and Analysis Award

6-12 Env. Sciences and all Physical Sciences No 2 sets of awards, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.  1st Place $20 gift card,  2nd Place $5 gift card, both include membership.  Teacher award of memberships.

Dr. Paul X. Callahan in memorium -a Top Biological HS project

9-12 Biological Sciences Yes $200 and certificate

Fair Manager's Graphic Design Award  - Best graphic presentation of ideas, work and discoveries.

6-12 all categories Yes 2 sets of awards, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 $100 and certificate

Genencor  Biotechnology Awards - Outstanding biotechnology projects

11-12 Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Physics, Bioinformatics Yes Grade  12 individual project $200 , Grade 11 or 12 team project $400, Grade 11 individual project $200

Hegland Award  -Best physical science projects showing enthusiasm, ingenuity, scientific method, experimental design and techniques

6-8 Physical sciences No $50 award

Hewlett-Packard Laboratories - best demonstration of experimental design and execution

6-12 Physics, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering No Grade 6-8 HP35s scientific calculator, Grades 9-10 HP PW460t Digital Camera, Grades 11-12 HP WV689AV Laptop Computer
I-SWEEEP - Top projects in the theme of environmental sustainability and innovation. 9-12 Environmental Sciences, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering Yes Weeklong I-SWEEEP competition in Houston, TX

Inez M. Lechner Award - The student must exhibit enthusiasm and ingenuity and have competed in at least one prior Synopsys Championship

9 All No Awards of $100

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers  - best use of electrical and electronic components.

6-12 Physical sciences No Awards of $50 and framed certificates

Intel Excellence in Computer Science Award- Best Computer Science project

9-12 Computers & mathematics Yes Intel ECS Certificate & Verification form and W-9 to submit for $200 cash

Labcoat Award for Lab Bench Finesse -Project best demonstrating lab bench finesse

6-8 Biological sciences and Chemistry No Lab Coat

MedImmune  - Best project with biological relevance to the causes, treatment and prevention of human disease.

9-12 Biological sciences, Chemistry,  Physics, and Bioinformatics No 1st prize $100 American Express gift card, plaque, certificate and 6-week  summer intership; 2 Honorable mention certificates & alternate to 1st prize.

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Outstanding project involving oceanic or aquatic preservation or conservation.

6-8 Environmental Sciences Yes Multi-volume set of books on the Marine Environment and 4 Aquarium Tickets

Morgan Lewis - most originality and ingenuity demonstrated in devising and presenting a practical solution to satisfy a scientific or technology need.

9-12 all cataegories Yes 5 ea 1st prizes of $100 and 1 grand prize of $1000.

Mu Alpha Theta - Most challenging and creative project involving mathematics

9-12 Physical sciences Yes Certificate of Achievement, letter to teacher

NASA Ames Research Center  - Well presented projects demonstrating originality and use of scientific method.

6-12 all categories Yes Certificate of Achiemente and  VIP visit to NASA - Ames

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Best project  which emphasizes NOAA's mission to explain and predict changes in Earth's environment, conserve and manage coastal and marine resources.

7-12 all categories No Certificate of Achievement, NOAA Medallion and letter

National Society of Professional Engineers

 -most innovative engineering project.

7-12 Engineering Yes Certificate of achievement, lapel pin

Northern California Institute of Food Technologists (NCIFT)-Best demonstration of scientific, excellence in Food Science inc. an hypothesis, experimentation and analysis.

6-12 All categories Yes 1st place  $100, 2nd place $60, 3rd place $40 and certificates for all.

Pauchon Foundation Award - Geological or earth science projects that promote understanding of processes that shape and continue to shape our planet.

10-12 Environmental Science, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology and Physical sciences. Yes 1st place  $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd place $100 and certificates for all.

 Promethium Chapter of Iota Sigma Pi -Female student with best project in chemistry

6-12 Chemistry No Book and certificate of achievement - to female student

Rambus - Best projects demonstrating most effective use of visualization of experimental data.

9-12 all categories No 1st place  $300  and Rambus backpack, 2nd place $200 and Rambus backpack

Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) Teacher Award - teachers whose students use re-purposed/recycled materials in creative and resourceful ways and/or used hands-on learning elements in their project or display.

6-8 all categories Yes One year RAFT membership

Ricoh Corporation -project that demonstate principles and technical innovations that offer greatest potential for sustainable development.

6-12 all categories Yes Certificate of achievement

SAMPE -  best project in the field of materials science

6-12 Environmental Science, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Sciences and Engineering Yes 2 sets of awards, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12  - 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50 and honorable mention. Certificates and subscriptions to all

San Jose State University College of Engineering  - best projects demonstrating ingneuity in the field of engineering

11-12 Engineering Yes 1st place $1000 scholarship to SJSU College of Engneering and certificate, 2nd place  and 3rd place certificate of achievement

San Jose State University Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society - Outstanding project demonstrating creativity and insightful questions

6-12 Chemistry Yes 3 awards of $50 each

Santa Clara County Biotech Education Partnership (SCCBEP)- best High school biotechnology project

9-12 Botany, Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering and Bioinformatics Yes 1st place $100, 4 each Honorable Mention and all receive certificates and goody bags.

Santa Clara County Integrated Waste Management Program - Best projects in composting, recycling or waste reduction

6-12 Botany, Environmental Sciences, Biochemisty & Microbiology, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering Yes Certificates of Achievement

Schonert Award - best project in environmental or marine biology

9-12 Environmental Sciences, Biochemistry & Mircobilogy No $100 and certificate of achievement

Society for In Vitro Biology -best project in plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture

11 Botany, Zoology, Medicine, Healt & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology No Certificates of Achievement

Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC)-expertise andingenuity in coatings and allied fields

6-12 Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering, Computers & Math Yes 2 sets of awards.  MS 1st Place $75, 2nd Place $50, 3rd Place $25.  HS 1st Place $100 and book, 2nd Place $50 and book, 3rd Place $25.  All get T-Shirt and certificate.

Society of Women Engineers -Best engineering and computer science projects by females

6-12 Engineering and Computers & Mathematics, and Bioinformatics Yes 2 sets of awards.  MS and HS, Gift card and certificate

Stockholm Junior Water Prize-Outstanding project related to water quality, protection, water resource management, wastewater treatment

9-12 Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering Yes Certificate of Achievement & opportunity to advance to Stockholm  competition

System Safety Society - Outstanding project related to advancement  of safety or system safety.

6-12 all categories Yes 1st place $250 , 2nd place $150, 3rd place $100 and all get framed certificates

The ROD Women in Science Award  -Outstanding project by female public school students exhibitint creative thinking in both experimental design and analysis

9-12 Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Engineering Yes award 1 individual project $30 and a book; and 1 team $60 to share and a book to each member - female students only

The Synopsys Outreach Foundation  n+1 Prize - project that best exemplifies “the next breakthrough” in science or engineering.

9-12 all categories Yes Award of $2500  to winning student or team to share.
Tech Museum of Innovation- Outstanding Middle School projects demostrating persistence and creativity 6-8 Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, and all Physical Sciences Yes Family and Friends membership to the Tech Museum

The Tech Summer Camps - Most creative  solution to science or engineering problem

6-8 all categories No One free week-long class at the Tech Summer Camps 2011

Trimble Navigation, Ltd.. - projects demonstrating creativity; Geographic content and creativity

7-12 all categories No Grades 11-12, 9-10, 7-8 projects to get $100 each and certificates. Same awards to schools of winner

United States Army - Best application of scientific method

9-12 all categories Yes 1st Place  Messenger Bag, Polo Shirt, and Certificate of Achievement; 2nd and 3rd Place: Polo Shirt and Certificate of Achievement;  HM : Certificate of Achievement

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - -Best project in marine science, pollution prevention, or restoration

6-12 all categories Yes Best Project: $50 and certificate; Outstanding Project: certificate.  All awards include a voucher for course materials and attendance at a safe boating course.

United States Metric Association  -Projects that best use SI metric systems consistently for measuring and reporting results.

9-12 Botany, Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Medicine, Health & Gerontology, Biochemistry & Microbilogy, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Sciences, Engineering Yes 1st place $50,  2nd place $40 and Honorable Mention - all get Certificates of Achievement
 United States Navy and Marine Corps  - Outstanding science or engienering projects 6-12 all categories No 2 sets of awards.  HS-$50 Gift Certificate, Certificate of Achievement, letter of congratulations, ONR Medallion; MS -   Certificate of Achievement, letter of congratulation, ONR Medallion 

Varian Medical Systems - best scientific or engineering project

6-12 all categories Yes 3 awards of $75  and certificate of achievement

Whitney Education Foundation

High Schhol all categories NA $1000 checks to schools and $250 to the student of Best Bio, Best Phy and Best Outreach Awards

Wireless Communications Alliance  - Outstanding projects in the physical sciences, math, computers or engineering with a  wireless related emphasis.

6-12 Physical sciences No 1st Place $100  and certificate to  student  and $100 to school,  2nd Place $50 and certificate.

Yale Science and Engineering Association  Award

11 Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computers & Mathematics No Certificate of Achievement and instructions for Pewter Medallion (to come by mail)