Kirkwood School District

Project Categories - *One Category is REQUIRED*

In addition to selecting a project type, students must choose a category for their project.  The St. Louis Area Science Fair uses these categories to determine special awards and scholarships ($$$) your project might be eligible for.

Animal Sciences (AS).   The study of animals and animal life, including their structure, function, life history, interactions, and classification.  This includes rhythmic functions, learning, and intelligence, sensory preferences, and environmental effects on behaviors.  The study of an organism from the earliest stages through birth or hatching.

Behavioral & Social Science (BE).  The science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods.  Subcategories include:  Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Sociology.  For example, trigger of fear, learned behavior, effect of color on choice, pecking order, group size.

Biochemistry (BI).  The study of chemical substances, interactions, and processes relevant to living organisms.  Any project that focuses on the chemistry of life processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, enzymes, diffusion or similar projects.  The study of chemical processes, including interactions and reactions, relevant to living organisms.

Biology (BL).  The study of living organisms and their function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms.

Chemistry (CH).  The science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.  The study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of materials.  For example the Ph of household substances, controlling rate of reaction, producing a desired substance.

Computer Science (CS).  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.  Including:  Algorithms, Data Bases, Artificial Intelligence, Networking and Communications, Computational Science, Computer Graphics, Computer System Operating Systems, Operating Systems.

Dental (DL).  The study of dental health.  Projects include toothpaste studies, teeth whitening studies, dental practices, etc.

Earth and Planetary Science (EA).  The study of sciences related to the planet Earth.  Geology, minerology, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, geography and atmospheric sciences.  The study of planets or planetary systems and the solar system.  The study of the earth’s structural features as related to plate structure, plate movement, volcanism, etc.

Energy & Transportation (ET).  The study of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean transport, and alternative fuels.  Subcategories include:  Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering (the design of aircraft and space vehicles).  Aerodynamics, Alternative Fuels (including electricity, hythane,  hydrogen, natural gas and wood).  Fossil Fuel Energy (including hydrocarbon deposit, such as petroleum, coal or natural gas).  Vehicle Development, Renewable Energies (including solar and wind).  Vehicle Development – engineering of vehicles that operate using energy other than from fossil fuel.

Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical (EE).  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.  Includes Electrical Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Thermodynamics.

Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering (EN).   The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical machines and systems.  Subcategories include:  Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Processing, Material Science.  Includes:  designing bridges, roads, water supply, flood control.  Includes projects with construction materials, for example concrete.  Includes:  Environmental Engineering – The application of engineering principals to solve practical problems in the supply of water, the disposal of waste, and the control of pollution.

Environmental Sciences (EV).  The analysis of existing conditions of the environment.  Subcategories include:  Air Pollution and Air Quality, Soil Contamination and Soil Quality, Water Pollution and Water Quality.  For example, the study of contamination of the air by such things as noxious gases, elements, minerals, chemicals solid and liquid matter (particulates), etc.

Fire Safety (FS).  For fire safety projects.  Open to students in Grades 6 to 12 only.  All projects involving fire must be monitored by an adult at all times. Requires additional Safety Form 1A.  Grades K through 5 may submit fire safety projects that address fire prevention.  K through 5 may NOT submit projects with fire.

Industrial Hygiene (IN).  The study of environmental and occupational health science and safety.  Includes safety in laboratories, OSHA and NIOSH standards, respiratory fit testing, contamination, injuries in the workplace, handling hazardous materials.

Mathematical Sciences (MA).  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.  Subcategories include:  Algebra, Analysis, Computer Mathematics, Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Game Therapy.  Geometry and Topology, Number Theory, Probability and Statistics.  For example, the study of the arithmetic properties of integers and related topics such as cryptography.  The study of combinational structures in mathematics, such as finite sets, graphs, and games, often with a view toward classification and renumeration.

Medicine & Health Sciences (ME).  The science of diagnosing, treating, or preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind. Subcategories:  Disease Diagnosis and Treatment, Epidemiology, Genetics.  Any study that explores diagnosing, improving and preserving health.  For example:  monitoring health aspects of persons enrolled in diet or body-building programs, checking for hearing or sight loss.

Microbiology (MI).  Studies of the activities and effects of microorganisms, such as algae, fungi, protozoan, virus, and bacteria as related to their life processes.  For example: bacteria in milk, water or soil, growth rates, identity of organisms.  Be careful of pathogenic agents which require a protocol, safety form and compliance.

Physics (PH).  The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two.  Includes the study of physical properties of light and lasers.

Plant Sciences (PS).  The study of plant life, including their structure and function, life history, and growth.  Including ecology, genetics and breeding, study of flowers.  Development and growth-study of a plant from earliest stages through germination and into later life.  This includes cellular and molecular aspects of development and environmental effects, natural or manmade on development and growth.