Supporting Pipeline Development — FLATE Serves as Special Projects Judge at K–12 STEM Fairs

Across Florida, K–12 STEM and science fairs are doing more than showcasing student projects — they are building the future workforce. These events give students the opportunity to explore real-world challenges, apply critical thinking skills, and present their ideas to industry and education professionals.

The State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida will take place March 31–April 2, 2026, in Lakeland, bringing together top student innovators from across the state. For many participants, this state-level competition represents the culmination of months of research, experimentation, and problem-solving — and for some, it opens the door to national opportunities.

Click here to learn more about being a judge at the state competition! There are many manufacturing-related categories to choose from.

FLATE proudly served as a Special Projects Judge at the K–12 Regional STEM Fairs in Hillsborough County and Pinellas County in February 2026.

More than 800 students representing 305 schools presented innovative projects spanning engineering, robotics, environmental sciences, and emerging technologies. The winning Special Project received prize funding and scholarship support generously provided by the Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA), along with other dedicated local and national partners.

Why Participation Matters

STEM fairs are a powerful entry point into high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology by:

• Building confidence and communication skills
• Strengthening problem-solving and technical abilities
• Connecting students with industry professionals, and
• Inspiring career exploration at an early age.

How the Process Works

While guidelines vary by district, most STEM fairs follow a similar pathway:

1. School-Level Fair: Students develop independent research or engineering projects during the school year.
2. District/Regional Fair: Top projects advance to a county or regional competition and are evaluated by volunteer judges.
3. Judging & Awards: Projects are reviewed within discipline categories and may receive medals, scholarships, or advancement opportunities.
4. State Advancement: Exceptional projects move on to compete at the State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida.

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FLATE encourages educators to continue fostering inquiry-based learning in the classroom, students to challenge themselves by participating, and community and industry partners to serve as mentors, sponsors, and judges.

When education and industry collaborate, we strengthen Florida’s STEM pipeline and help students see themselves as the next generation of innovators, engineers, and advanced manufacturing leaders.