USF Sarasota-Manatee Launches STEM Fair Fellows Program to Support Student Research
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has introduced an innovative initiative called the STEM Fair Fellows program, designed to support school students preparing for science and engineering fairs. The program connects young learners with university experts who guide them in developing stronger research projects, improving their scientific thinking, and gaining confidence in STEM fields. By offering mentorship and academic support, the initiative aims to help students better understand the research process while encouraging deeper engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The STEM Fair Fellows program was developed by Victoria Ramirez, the laboratory manager at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Ramirez has served as a judge at local STEM fairs for nearly two decades and noticed that many student projects showed great potential but often lacked clear research questions or well-structured experimental design. To address this gap, she created a program that allows students to receive direct guidance from experienced faculty members and researchers. The initiative officially launched in fall 2025 after several years of planning and development.
Through the program, a team of STEM experts including faculty members, administrators, and alumni from the university participates in weekly virtual sessions over an eight-week period. During these sessions, students can ask questions, discuss their research ideas, and receive feedback on topics such as developing a focused research question, selecting variables, designing experiments, and presenting their findings effectively. The panel also provides advice on following the scientific method and improving the overall quality of STEM fair projects.
One of the key goals of the STEM Fair Fellows initiative is to help students better understand how real scientific research works. Ramirez explains that many students begin their projects with ambitious ideas that include too many variables, which can make experiments difficult to reproduce or analyze. By guiding students step-by-step, the program helps them start with manageable experiments and gradually build more advanced research skills. This approach not only improves project quality but also strengthens students’ confidence and curiosity in scientific exploration.
STEM fairs themselves play an important role in encouraging young learners to explore science and innovation. Students from grades 3 to 12 participate by developing projects that investigate scientific questions or technological challenges. Their projects are presented and evaluated at district-level fairs, with top participants advancing to state and even international competitions. The STEM Fair Fellows program supports these students by giving them access to professional guidance that many would not otherwise receive.
The pilot version of the program initially partnered with two Sarasota County teachers who introduced the opportunity to their students. After the success of the first sessions, the university plans to expand the initiative to reach more students in the coming years. Future improvements include offering sessions at different times and eventually hosting in-person workshops once the campus’s new STEM academic facility opens.
Overall, the STEM Fair Fellows program reflects the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s commitment to strengthening STEM education and community engagement. By connecting young students with academic mentors and research resources, the program helps nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators while promoting hands-on learning and critical thinking.
