Hosting Organization: Terra North Jersey STEM Fair
County: Hunterdon
The Terra North Jersey STEM Fair (TNJSF) is an annual high school science competition where students from ten counties in northern and central New Jersey present a wide variety of projects from all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by an all-volunteer committee. For over 40 years, the mission of the TNJSF has been to support, encourage, and recognize student involvement in scientific research and innovation.
The March STEM Month exhibition is the culmination of the student research experience, which can begin as early as the summer before. Students work independently at school, home, or university, but may consult with an adult mentor who can be their high school teacher, parent, or career researcher.
An NJ STEM Month Mini-Grant from the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network enabled the TNJSF to implement a live first round of judging, which took place in mid-February, by supporting the purchase of the Zoom platform. In this virtual setting, students were given time to present their research plans, justifications, and experimental procedures to a small panel of judges assembled from academia and industry. In this round, students did not present any data or conclusions. After their presentation, there was a brief question-and-answer period. The judges then selected the students who moved on to the exhibition phase of the fair.
The 2026 TNJSF was held on March 21–22, 2026, at the School of Integrative Science and Technology at Kean University. Again, judges from academia and industry evaluated students’ work, this time with results and conclusions, and provided valuable feedback, offering a professional, interactive experience for the students. The NJ STEM Month Mini-Grant also supported the provision of the necessary judging materials for this event. Projects were awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention in their categories. Seven students were awarded the grand prize at the fair—an all-expenses-paid trip to the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In addition, a variety of special awards sponsored by different scientific organizations were given.
An event of this magnitude is made possible by the support of corporations, academic organizations, nonprofits, and individuals coming together to promote and encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers.