Photos: 2020 65th Annual SARSEF Science Fair in Tucson
About 2,200 science project entries, a new record, are on display at the Tucson Convention Center for the 65th SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation) Science Fair. Entries from students in elementary, middle school and high were evaluated by judges largely in private due efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Judges could conduct interviews with high school students via online apps. Judges also used antiseptic wipes when necessary and disposable earphones for safety. Interviews with middle school students were canceled. Judges left notes on projects instead.
Although the public viewing has been canceled, the top awards in each category will still be announced on SARSEF's YouTube channel, Saturday March 14 at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judges talk with high school students about their projects during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Jake Wood, left, 11th grader from Sahuaro High School, explains his project to judge John Eisele during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020. Wood's project centered around improving wind turbine designs.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judges from Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society look at projects from elementary school students during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judge JP Martin, left, interviews Kenia Zepeda via the internet during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020. Zepeda's project focused on gender stereotypes and how they effect the perception of scientists.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judge Silvia Kolchens looks at an entry, titled "What came first The Chicken, The Egg or The Salmonella," during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judge Jack Tran reads a high school students project, titled "Effect of Oxybenzone on E. coli Growth," during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judges evaluate elementary and middle school entries during the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation’s 2020 science fair at the Tucson Convention Center.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Richard Hallick talks with a student via an iPad during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Amber Burton, right, 10th grader from Empire High School, talks about her project with judge Eric Wieduwilt during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judges evaluate elementary and middle school entries during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judge Mary Saylor reads paragraphs of a high school students entry on a smart toilet, titled "The Smart Toilet An Automated Urine Screening Device for Kidney Failure, Bladder Cancer, and Prostate Enlargement," during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judge Brian Gross, right, looks at a high school students entry titled "Backyard Agrivoltaics" during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
From left to right, judges Kent Pflibsen, Mary Pflibsen and Chrisinda Ballew, review elementary school entries during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
A note written by a judge is left in front of a students project, titled "The Effect of ncRNA on Cancer Cells with RM," during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Henry Roth Gordon, ninth grader at University High School, sits next to his project while waiting for judges during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020. Henry Roth Gordon's project focused on how plants under solar panels affect plant growth and photovoltaic output.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Judge Kira McAvoy looks at paperwork attached to a high school students entry tiled, "How the Type of Herbicide Affects the Stem Length of a Tagete Crackerjack Marigold" during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.
SARSEF Science Fair Judging
Parents and on-lookers watch the high school student interviews from a glass window during Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation's 65th annual science fair at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 10, 2020.

