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2026 Putnam County Student STEM Symposium
(formerly known as the Putnam County Science Fair)
STEM involves not only Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, but most importantly critical thinking and problem solving skills. This year, we are embracing a broader vision for student engagement by introducing three unique pathways for participation, providing students with diverse opportunities to explore, innovate, and present their work. Each student or student team will be able to choose one pathway when registering for the event. This new format reflects our commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and practical problem-solving in STEM education. We hope you share our enthusiasm for this evolution of our program and are eager to engage with the talented students of Putnam County.
February 7, 2026 at Fort Jennings High School
February 7, 2026 at Fort Jennings High School
8:30-9:00 AM Student Set Up
8:30-9:00 AM Light Judge's breakfast
9:00-11:00 AM Judging (Regular & Special Awards)
10:30-11:00 AM Open House for parents and public
11:00-11:30 AM Awards Presentation
Overview of the Pathways
Traditional Science Fair:
Students will follow the classic format, conducting research, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting their findings.Design Thinking Challenge:
Students will tackle real-world problems using a design thinking approach, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. They will present their process, prototypes, and solutions. This pathway is similar to the problem-solving challenges seen on shows like LEGO Masters or Project Runway, where participants are tasked with designing innovative solutions while showcasing their creative journey.Innovation & Entrepreneurship Project:
Students will develop innovative ideas or products that address a specific need, showcasing both technical research and entrepreneurial thinking. This pathway asks students to pitch their ideas and business strategies, much like contestants on Shark Tank.
Framework Across All Pathways
While the pathways differ in focus, they share a consistent framework:
Research: Students form a hypothesis and investigate their chosen topic or problem.
Experimentation/Prototyping: Students test their hypotheses, develop prototypes, or refine solutions.
Presentation: Students synthesize their findings and present their work to judges.
Your Role as a Judge
As a judge, your role will remain critical in evaluating students' work and providing valuable feedback. Judging will involve assessing the quality of research, the depth of analysis, and the clarity of presentation. When you register as a judge, you will select the preferred pathway(s) you would be most comfortable judging. Each pathway will be evaluated similarly, with a slightly different rubric for each. We will provide those in advance to help guide you.
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