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About SciFest

More Than a
Science Fair.

Run by Robbinsville's Science Olympiad team, open to every student in New Jersey.

Our Story

Built by a Team That Wanted to Give Back.

SciFest is run by Robbinsville High School's Science Olympiad team. We realized we wanted to be more than just a competition team, we wanted to give back to the science community that shaped us. SciFest is how we do that: a full day, juried research showcase built and run by students, for students, with the support of our advisor, Mr. Genovese.

What began as a single afternoon showcase in the RHS commons has grown each year in scope and participation. SciFest 2027 marks the biggest expansion yet, opening eligibility to middle school students in grades 5 through 8 and welcoming competitors from any school in New Jersey, not just Robbinsville.

SciFest is organized entirely by students, in partnership with the Robbinsville High School Science Department.

“To celebrate student driven scientific inquiry and build a culture of curiosity, rigor, and communication, in Robbinsville, and now across New Jersey.”
Event Overview

What SciFest Is, and Isn't.

SciFest is a juried academic showcase, not a science fair. The distinction matters.

At SciFest, presentations are not assessed by rotating volunteers with clipboards. They are evaluated by a panel of science faculty and STEM professionals, trained to the event's rubric, who spend meaningful time with each project, ask substantive questions, and score anonymously. The criteria reward intellectual depth, analytical rigor, and the ability to communicate complex ideas to a critical audience, not the production value of a poster.

Competitors choose from four presentation categories, each representing a distinct mode of scientific inquiry, and present within one of four grade divisions to ensure fair evaluation against peers at a comparable stage. Awards are given at the division level, with cross-division special recognition awards for outstanding visual communication, innovation, and overall standout work.

Who Competes

  • Students currently enrolled in grades 5 through 12, any New Jersey school
  • Individual presenters and groups of up to three students
  • All group members must belong to the same grade division
  • No limit on the number of presenting groups at this time

Competition Divisions

  • Middle School Division, Grades 5 to 6
  • Middle School Division, Grades 7 to 8
  • Division 1 (Underclassmen), Grades 9 to 10
  • Division 2 (Upperclassmen), Grades 11 to 12
Event Day

March 14, 2027: The Full Schedule.

Presenters and nonprofit booths arrive starting at 10:00 AM. SciFest opens to the public at 11:30 AM. This is the actual flow of the day, drawn from our SciFest 2026 run sheet.

9:30 AM
Building opens
Sign-in desk is set up at the front entrance. No one is permitted past the front desk without signing in.
10:00 AM
Setup & check-in
The Commons and Gym are decorated. Student presenters arrive, check in, submit their printed registration, and are directed to their assigned booths. Nonprofit representatives arrive and are directed to their booths.
11:00 AM
Final setup
All presenter and nonprofit booths must be fully set up. Judges arrive and receive their Round 1 folders.
11:30 AM
SciFest opens to the public
Doors open to all attendees. Opening remarks. Round 1 of judging begins. Nonprofit booths open for attendee voting.
12:00 PM
Round 2 of judging
Judges swap folders and evaluate a new set of presentations.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch is distributed to presenters, judges, volunteers, and nonprofit representatives. Presenters are encouraged to visit activity stations and nonprofit booths.
1:00 PM
Round 3 of judging
Judges swap folders again and continue evaluations.
1:30 PM
Round 4 of judging & deliberation
Final round of judging. Judges then meet to discuss standout projects and finalize award decisions. Nonprofit booth ticket totals are collected and counted.
2:30 PM
Presentations conclude
Presenters may begin packing up. All attendees are directed to the Gym for the closing ceremony.
3:00 PM
Closing ceremony
Trivia, closing remarks, division and special recognition awards are presented, and the winning nonprofit booth is announced.
4:00 PM
Breakdown
Decorations and equipment are taken down, and tables and chairs are restored to their original positions.
5:00 PM
Event concludes
Building is cleared and all spaces are returned to normal.
Participating Clubs

The Organizations Behind SciFest.

SciFest would not exist without the science clubs of Robbinsville High School. Each contributes an exhibition, activity station, or demonstration that runs throughout the event.

Science Olympiad Science National Honor Society Computer Science Honor Society Mathematics Honor Society Quantum Computing Club Agricultural Club Environmental Club Automotive Club Odyssey of the Mind HOSA Future Medical Leaders of America

Each participating club designates a student representative to coordinate with SciFest organizers. Club exhibition sign-up is open now, see the Register page.

Dress Code

Professional Presentation Starts Before You Speak.

Competitors

Business Attire Required

Dress shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts, or dresses. Closed-toe shoes. Business casual to formal. No bow ties. This standard applies to all competitors, including middle school participants.

Nonprofit Reps

Business Casual or Formal

Branded organizational clothing or merchandise is welcome in addition to or in place of standard business attire, provided it meets a professional standard.

Volunteers

All Black, No Exceptions

Black shirt and black pants for the full duration of the event, from setup through breakdown.

If business attire presents a financial barrier for any competitor, contact us in advance of event day at robbinsville.scienceolympiad@gmail.com. Accommodations will be made discreetly and without question.

Get Involved

Run the Event. Build Something Real.

SciFest is student run from the first email to the last table folded. The volunteer team is the infrastructure that makes the event function.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Decorating & Setup

Help set up the Commons and Gym, arrange the awards display table, and test event equipment before doors open.

Front Desk & Check-In

Sign in presenters and nonprofit representatives, collect printed registration, and direct everyone to their booths.

Judge Support & Media

Walk judges through the floor, manage scoring folders, and capture photos and video of the day.

Activity Stations & Breakdown

Run a station (bingo, slime, escape room, and more) or join the setup and breakdown crews.