The MSUB Science Expo adheres to all ISEF, MSUB, and state and local laws and regulations. All decisions made by MSUB Science Expo administrators can only be appealed within the Science Expo Administration and decisions of the director are final.
Applicable rules and regulations can also be found on our website: https://www.msubillings.edu/scienceexpo/info.htm
All young scientists from grades 1-12 in our 28-county region are invited to enter the MSU Billings Science Expo. The MSUB Science Expo is unique in Montana, in that the continued generosity of our donors ensures the fair is free to all who compete. Young scientists compete for gifts, cash prizes, awards, scholarships and a place to compete in the Montana State fair and on the international stage during a two-day event, all FREE due to the generosity of our sponsors. We are excited to announce that MSUB Science Expo will send a deserving young scientist to participate in the Montana State Fair hosted in Missoula MT, April 4th! This is in addition to the project that we have always sent to compete in the national ISEF competition.
The list of regional counties
- Big Horn County
- Carbon County
- Carter County
- Custer County
- Daniels County
- Dawson County
- Fallon County
- Garfield County
- Golden Valley County
- Mccone County
- Meagher County
- Musselshell County
- Park County
- Petroleum County
- Phillips County
- Powder River County
- Prairie County
- Richland County
- Roosevelt County
- Rosebud County
- Sheridan County
- Stillwater County
- Sweet Grass County
- Treasure County
- Valley County
- Wheatland County
- Wibaux County
- Yellowstone County
- Doors Open/check in (YSHB): 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Judging of Projects (YSHB): 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Public Viewing of Projects (YSHB): 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Science Activities (Inside and Outside): 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Food Trucks (Outside): 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Atomic Circus (Petro Theatre): 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Awards Ceremony: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Claim Projects and Clean-up (YSHB): 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
What to Expect During the Fair
March 16th, 2024
- Doors Open/check in (YSHB): 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Judging of Projects (YSHB): 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Public Viewing of Projects (YSHB): 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Science Activities (Inside and Outside): 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Food Trucks (Outside): 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Atomic Circus (Petro Theatre): 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Awards Ceremony: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Claim Projects and Clean-up (YSHB): 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Demonstrations and Science activities
- Star labs both Friday and Saturday
- Dr. Jacob Thacker, Geologist
- Dr. Jason Comer, Botonist
- Dr. Matt Queen with the Atomic Circus
- Lego building competition
- Rocket building competition
- Science Scavenger Hunt
When you arrive to check-in and set up your project, you will be given a specific time frame where you will be judged by three different judges. Judging time runs between 11AM till 3PM. When your project is not being judged, you are free to experience the star lab, check out the various science demonstrations around the science building, and grab some dinner at the concessions stands.
Make sure to come back Saturday to view your project with friends and family and get a chance to watch The Atomic Circus and the Star Lab.
We will see you there!!!
Animal Sciences
Study of animals and animal life, including their structure, function, life history, interactions, classification, and evolution.
Behavioral and Social Sciences
The science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods.
Biochemistry
The study of chemical substances, interactions, and processes relevant to living organisms.
Cellular and Molecular Biology
The study of the structure and formation of cells.
Chemistry
The science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
Computer Science
The study of information processes, the structures and procedures that represent processes, and their implementation in information processing systems. It includes systems analysis and design, application and system software design, programming, and datacenter operations.
Earth and Planetary Science
The study of sciences related to the planet Earth (Geology, minerology, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, speleology, sesismology, geography, atmospheric sciences, etc.)
Energy and Transportation
The study of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean transport, and alternative fuels.
Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, processes, and systems.
Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical machines and systems.
Environmental Management
The application of engineering principals to solve practical problems of managing mans' interaction with the environment with the goal to maintain and improve the state of an environmental resource affected by human activities.
Environmental Sciences
The analysis of existing conditions of the environment.
Mathematical Sciences
The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures.
Medicine and Health Sciences
The science of diagnosing, treating, or preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind.
Microbiology
The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pathogens.
Physics and Astronomy
Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.
Plant Sciences
Study of plant life, including their structure and function, life history, growth, interactions with other plants and animals, classification, and evolution.
Judge Criteria
Young Scientists' project quality will be assessed using one of two judging rubrics.
- Science Experiment
- Engineering Project
While scientists study how nature works, engineers create new things, such as products, websites, environments, and experiences. Because engineers and scientists have different objectives, they follow different processes in their work.
Scientists perform experiments using the scientific method; whereas, engineers follow the creativity-based engineering design process. One rubric is for projects that have a scientific inquiry, and the other rubric is for projects that design, test, make, or improvements to an existing project.
Both processes can be broken down into a series of steps, as seen in the tables below
Scientific Method
- State your question
- Do background research
- Formulate your hypothesis, identify variables
- Design experiment, establish procedure
- Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment
- Analyze your results and draw conclusions
- Communicate results
Engineering Design Process
- Define the problem
- Do background research
- Planning and design
- Build a prototype
- Test and redesign as necessary
- Communicate results
These rubrics can serve as a guide in how you should conduct, display, present, and defend your science.
Remember Judges are going to also look at your professionalism in how you make eye contact, answer questions, and how clear and concise you speak.
Science Judging Rubric.pdf
Engeneering Judging Rubric.pdf