ABAC prides itself on the many accomplishments of local students and is proud to showcase their scholastic work at the ABAC Regional Science and Engineering Fair. It provides an opportunity for students in grades six through twelve to exhibit the results of their scientific or mathematical thoughts and experiments. The ABAC Regional Fair hosts students from the surrounding counties of Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Crisp, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth.

REMINDERS TO TEACHERS, Parents, and Staff

Don’t forget that students must participate in a local or school fair before entering the ABAC Regional Fair.  Each school should hold their own fair in order to determine which projects should advance.  While the ABAC RSEF committee realizes not every student is a scientist, some projects from previous years did not meet the criteria expected at a regional level fair.  ABAC RSEF judge’s decisions are final. Please note: GSEF rules allow a student to participate in only their designated regional fair and ninth grade students must compete in the senior division even if the project is a continuation project from earlier year.

Several forms must be filled out and signatures obtained BEFORE the student can begin their project. Please read over the forms to be sure of what needs to be completed before your students start their projects. Please read the ISEF Rules & Guidelines as it ensures that all eligible students have an equal opportunity at all Science and Engineering Fairs.

All projects require the completion of an ABAC RSEF Application and an official GSEF Abstract Form. Attached below are the RSEF Application Form and links to the official GSEF Abstract Forms.

Director:
Dr. David J. Rhode
david.rhode@abac.edu
229.391.5273
229.391.5260

Co-Director:
Dr. Kaushalya Dahal
229.391.4966

Have you ever considered a career in research but have never had the chance to conduct any research of your own? Research Experiences for Undergraduates, or REUs, are a great way to find out if a career in research is right for you. REUs are paid summer internships funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other similar programs and foundations, located at Research I institutions and Federal Research Laboratories across the United States. REUs give you real-world experience of what it is actually like to work in a laboratory setting. In an REU, you will work closely with a faculty mentor and other researchers on a specific research project. You will gain valuable experiences, such as learning new laboratory techniques, which can assist you in future studies and make you more marketable and desirable to graduate and professional programs.

• REUs are available in all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
•  On average, the salary (or stipend) for an REU is $5,000 for a ten week internship. Stipend amounts vary by program but range from $3,000 to $5,000+. Many programs assist with housing, travel, and food expenses.
• Most REUs are eight to ten weeks in length.
• Application deadlines vary from program to program and begin anywhere from early December to late March.
•  The National Science Foundation (NSF) has a database where you can search for REUs by subject area and/or location.
• The American Mathematical Society (AMS) also has a database of Mathematics REUs.
• Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. Also, most programs require you to be a rising junior or rising senior. Most programs prefer for you to have taken some sophomore-level science major courses such as Organic Chemistry and/or Zoology. Generally, you must have at least an additional year of undergraduate coursework remaining after your REU.

The Southwestern Georgia STEM Pathways Alliance (SWGA-SPA) is a collaborative research project funded by the National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) with the goal of transforming the STEM learning environment by significantly increasing the number of URM majors graduating with baccalaureate degrees in STEM disciplines and entering graduate STEM programs.

Program Benefits
In addition to the financial stipends, participants will receive the benefits of the following program components:

• Mentoring
• Research internship opportunities
• Annual research conference and graduate school fair meetings
• Preparation for the Graduate Research Examination (GRE)

Applicant Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the program, an applicant must:

• Be a student enrolled at one of the partner institutions (ABAC, Columbus State University, Columbus Technical College, South Georgia Technical College, Georgia Southwestern State University, Valdosta State University)
• Pursue an associate or undergraduate degree in an LSAMP approved STEM discipline
• Be a citizen or permanent resident with a documented qualifying condition (see application for types of conditions)
• Have a GPA of at least a 2.5 in high school (for entering Freshman) or college as calculated by the HOPE scholarship program or a 145 GED score

Maintaining Eligibility Requirement
Participants must:

• Be a full-time student in an LSAMP approved STEM discipline, with a cumulative institutional GPA above the applicant eligibility requirement
• Participate in required activities
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence both inside and outside of the classroom within their chosen STEM discipline