Plan
Guiding students toward the Maine State Science Fair requires a balance of planning and adaptability on behalf of teachers. We encourage you to use our deadlines, below, to plan how your school year will be structured. You may choose to add in some deadlines of your own to keep students on track.
SCHEDULE for the 2026 MSSF
Saturday, March 28, 2026 | Location TBD
Innovation Hall, 772 Stevens Avenue, Portland
Students should arrive at exhibit hall and have their displays set up by 8:30 am.
We’ll give students an overview of the day and set the stage for a great event.
Half of the projects will be judged from 9:00 to 10:15. Students in round 1 should be at their posters during this time. Judges will approach students, who can describe their projects and then answer questions.
Judges get a chance to recharge while the second group of students prepares for their judging round.
The remaining projects will be judged from 10:45 to 12:00. Students in round 2 should be at their posters during this time. Judges will approach students, who can describe their projects and then answer questions.
This is a good time to take down your displays and load them into your bus/car.
We’ll gather to celebrate the day.
Students head home.
CALENDAR
- October 1 – LaunchPad opens for student registration
- January 19 – Student registration deadline
- January 19 – Research Plans & forms due for projects needing SRC and/or IRB review
- March 1 – Abstracts due for all projects
- March 28 – Maine State Science Fair @ TBD
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)
The IRB reviews all projects involving human participants. These projects must receive approval before the student researchers begin experimentation or prototype testing. The IRB meets approximately every two weeks, with the schedule being announced in early fall.
The IRB reviews all projects involving human participants. These projects must receive approval before the student researchers begin experimentation or prototype testing. The IRB meets approximately every two weeks, as shown here. Students wishing to have their project reviewed by the IRB must have all forms submitted with teacher approval in LaunchPad by noon on the deadline listed for that meeting.
COVID POLICY
- The event is closed to spectators beyond chaperones accompanying bussed students and parents who are driving their teens to the event because their school does not provide a bus.
- Everyone in attendance will remain masked for the duration of the event while in the Field House, including any aforementioned parents or chaperones.
- Any student who meets the CDC Guidelines for Quarantine or Isolation must participate virtually.
- Students can also switch to virtual participation for any reason, but they cannot switch from virtual to in-person.
- On a related note, Colby College does not allow any food or drinks, except for water, in the Field House. We will send students home with boxed lunches at noon.