These Special Awards are given out separately from the blue ribbons and medals that the regular Fair judges award.   Special Awards are sponsored by outside organizations who provide their own judges and criteria.

If you have any questions contact  LAntonek@aol.com

Alstede Agricultural Achievement Award
Sponsored by Alstede Farms and the Alstede Family
Students competing for the “4-A” award need to prepare projects that will be judged utilizing the following criteria:

1.  Demonstration of alternative methods for growing food and fiber, or
2.  Demonstration of manipulation of plant growing conditions to improve productivity, or
3.  Demonstration of responsible care of natural resources in the production of food and fiber, or
4.  Demonstration of the impact of insects and disease on the production of food and fiber.
Projects will be evaluated on their use of the scientific method and their originality.

Competition is open to all grade levels and three awards will be presented. 

Qualifying project categories would include the following: Botany, Ecology, Entomology, Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology, Environmental Science, and Pharmacology.

Bayer Science for a Better Life Award
Sponsored by Bayer Corporation

A qualifying project would focus on material science, material engineering or technology,  for example protective coatings, plastics, polymers, rubber, adhesives, foams, filters, films, biodegradable products, etc.

Projects must use the scientific method, be original and creative and have a conclusion that follows logically from data.

Qualifying project categories include Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Ecology, Health and Hygiene, Biochemistry, General Chemistry, Pharmacology, Polymers and Product Testing.

Competition is open to students in grades 3-8.

Chester Garden Club Award
Sponsored by the Chester Garden Club

Open to students in grades K-2. 

Qualifying project categories would include Botany, Ecology or Environmental Science. 

Environmental Award
Presented by the Chester Township Environmental Commission

The following types of projects will be considered:

1. help protect or restore the natural environment,
2. show people how to use natural resources more wisely,
3. increase awareness of environmental concerns or solutions, or
4. help improve an environmental concern.

Standard judging criteria will apply, such as:

1. Applying scientific principles in design and execution
2. Creativity in planning and execution.
3. Demonstrated understanding of underlying principles.
4. Conclusion that follow logically from data analyses
5. Quality of presentation

This award is open to projects in grades 3-8.
Qualifying project categories would include: Ecology, Environmental Science, Energy.

Food Science Award
U.S. Food & Drug Administration Food Science Award.
Presenter is Senior Scientific Advisor to FDA, Dr. John Specchio

1. Open to grades 3-8
2. Project must focus on improving food quality, nutrition or safety.
3. To be considered for this award a project may NOT be product testing, e.g. Do people prefer Brand A or Brand B?

Qualifying project categories would include the following: Biophysics, Botany, Ecology, General Chemistry, Health & Hygiene.

Health Sciences Award
Sponsored by Priority Medical Care of Bridgewater, NJ.
1. Projects are selected by focus on scientific method
2. Originality
3. Demonstration of how health and disease are affected by the topic of interest
4. Projects that demonstrate normal anatomy, physiology, biology or histology do not qualify.
5. Project Categories that qualify: Biophysics, Robotics (surgical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic uses), Behavioral science, Health & Hygiene, Microbiology, Physiology, Psychology, and Biochemistry.
There will be 3 awards given in each group: Grades 3-5 and 6-8.

Psychology Award
Presented by Nancy Sidhu Ph.D., Psychologist and Susan Neigher, Ph.D.

1. Open to grades 3-8
2. Projects focused on understanding thoughts, feelings or behaviors.
3. Use of scientific method, relevant research and scholarly excellence are required

Qualifying project categories would include: Behavorial Science, Psychology.

Science Makes Cents
Presented by Merrill Lynch

The following types of projects will be considered:

1. Open to grades 3-5
2. Those that demonstrate how scientific testing can be used to make better economic decisions,
3. demonstrate how a product's quality can be improved or how it can be made more effective or efficient,
4. demonstrate how a product, item or idea can save the user's resources,
5. and reflect relevant research, originality and use the scientific method.

Standard judging criteria will apply, such as:

1. Applying scientific principles in design and execution
2. Creativity in planning and execution.
3. Demonstrated understanding of underlying principles.
4. Conclusion that follow logically from data analyses
5. Quality of presentation

Qualifying project category is Product Testing.

Chemistry and Physics
Sponsor: Educational Foundation of the Chesters
 
The following types of projects will be considered:

1. Increase understanding of chemistry, physics and related science topics.
2. Demonstrate how chemistry or physics affects our everyday life  
3. Foster engagement and interest for these areas of science.

Standard judging criteria will apply, such as:

1. Applying scientific principles in design and execution.
2. Creativity and originality in approach and implementation.  
3. Demonstrated understanding of underlying principles and his or her project.
4. Strong evidence of laboratory and/or field work.  
5. Conclusion that follow logically from data analyses and scientific thoroughness.  
6. Quality of presentation

Open to grades: 6,7,8
Project Categories: Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry and Crystal growth.


Nursing Science Award,
Sponsor:  N.J. State Nurses Association, Region One. 
The criteria for this aware are:
1.  Focus on health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, or human responses to health phenomena.
2.  Use of scientific method, relevant research and scholarly excellence are required.
3.  Quality of presentation.

Two awards are given in grades 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. 
Project Categories include Health and Hygiene, Microbiology, Physiology