History:
The very first Bartlesville District Science Fair was held all the way back in 1953, making it one of the oldest fairs in the area. In 1997, the Bartlesville District Science Fair made international news when Stephen Tinnin won the very first Stockholm Junior Water Prize and received an all expense paid trip to Sweden to receive the award. Over the years, participants have gone on to success in college, graduate school, and exciting careers in science as well as many other fields. They often cite science fair as one of the important experiences that helped them prepare for their success. Science fair doesn’t just teach the scientific process; it also gives students experience in important skills such as following instructions, managing large projects, interpreting results, and presenting their work.
Location:
The Bartlesville District Science Fair is held each year at the Phillips 66 Research Center on the western edge of town at the intersection of Highways 60 and 123. This site is the home of research organizations for all three of the fair’s major sponsors: Phillips 66, Chevron Phillips, and ConocoPhillips. In 1999, this facility was designated as a National Chemical Historic Landmark by the American Chemical Society for the 1951 discovery of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, two plastics that have transformed modern society (click here for more info!). Given its rich history and its continued use as a modern research facility, hosting the fair at this location is inspiring to the students who come each year to present the results of their science fair projects.
Awards:
As is the case with science fairs across the country, there are two types of awards presented at the Bartlesville District Science Fair: category awards and special awards. The category awards are presented to students demonstrating outstanding work in these traditional areas of science and engineering:
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Earth and Space Sciences
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Medical and Health Sciences
Physics
The criteria for judging the category awards are summarized here (elementary and senior).
The majority of special awards are sponsored by various government agencies and professional organizations, both at the local and national level. The criteria for awards vary widely and are defined by the award sponsor. The exact number and type of special awards changes every year and recognize excellence in a broad range of focus areas.