Thinking about doing a science fair project? The first step is to find a competition in your state. Depending on where you live, you may need to enter a city or county science fair before you can move up to the state or regional level. If you're really hard-core, you might consider the national competitions. But even if you're not the next Albert Einstein, a science fair is a great way to learn about the scientific method and to meet other kids with interests similar to your own.

With a top prize of $100,000, the Intel Science Talent Search is one of the most competitive science fair events in the country. It's a proving ground for budding scientists, and several past winners have gone on to win Nobel Prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, and other major awards. At this level the competition is so fierce that it's considered a real honor just to be a semifinalist. Only the most sophisticated, rigorous projects have much of a chance, and you need to get started early.

The Siemens Westinghouse competition has only been held since 1998, but it has a top prize that matches that of the Intel contest. Another bonus: Runners-up each receive $1,000 in prize money. Siemens Westinghouse permits students to work in teams or individually. The contest has a regional structure to encourage participation from all parts of the country. (This is a new competition, unrelated to the old Westinghouse Science Talent Search, which Intel took over in 1998.)

This competition focuses on upper elementary and middle school students--it is open only to students in grades 5 through 8. State finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the finals. The top national winner receives a $15,000 scholarship, the second place winner gets a $7,500 scholarship, and the third place winner receives a $3,750 scholarship.

Ready to get started? Find the science fair in your area on the list below. Not all state and regional fairs have Web sites. If the fair for your area is not listed here, check with your science teacher for more information.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
       Central
       Southern
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana
       Central
       Northeast
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Minnesota
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota 
       Eastern
Tennessee 
       Western
Texas
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

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