Chicago Public Schools STEM Exhibition of Student Research believes that principals and teachers’ engagement and investment in the program are critical to the success of the STEM Exhibitions (previously referred to as Science Fair). As such, the Chicago Public Schools Office of Teaching and Learning, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Department requests for principals and teachers to commit to being active participants in all aspects of STEM Exhibitions. All Regional Network STEM Exhibitions will probably be held virtually during the 2023-2024 school year. The City Exhibition will be held in person at Illinois Tech. Participation in and funding for STEM Exhibitions are contingent on the agreement to the following items:

1. Schools must complete all local school STEM Exhibitions prior to Winter Break; and must abide by all rules set forth for the Regional and City STEM Exhibitions which are included in the 2024 Exhibition of Student STEM Research PowerPoint (found on website cpsscifair.org)
2. Regional Networks STEM Exhibitions will be held virtually in January/February 2024.
3. All schools are asked to designate a STEM Exhibition Coordinator to attend an informational virtual meeting through Google Meets in order to participate in the virtual Regional Network STEM Exhibitions. If they are not able to attend, we encourage that a school representative attends as pertinent information will be shared. All Exhibition information will be communicated to the designated school STEM Exhibition Coordinator by email.
4. Schools must provide a STEM Exhibition Coordinator whom will be responsible for inputting and uploading all necessary project information and documents into the Google Form by the due date, Friday, January 12, 2024, 11:59 P.M. Teachers will be required to assist at the City's Exhibition of Student STEM Research which will be held at Illinois Tech on Friday, March 15, 2024. 
5. No projects may be added past the due date for Regional and/or City Exhibitions. (No exceptions)
6. Each participating school must provide a minimum of 3 non-CPS Level II volunteers to serve as virtual judges for the Regional Networks STEM Exhibition. Judging will take place over a period of time.
7. Transportation to the City STEM Exhibition is the responsibility of the school/parent for on site at Illinois Tech.  
8. Substitute coverage information will be forwarded closer to the date, for teachers assisting at the City Exhibition of Student STEM Research, State Expo and International Fair information will be forthcoming as received. Substitute coverage if needed for Regional Network STEM Exhibitions will be provided by  Office of Teaching and Learning; more information will be given closer to the date.
9. We request from school leadership that teachers who volunteer on committees for the City Exhibition of Student STEM Research (March 14-15, 2024) and State Exposition (May 3-May 4, 2024), be released to assist with Exhibitions.
10. Link to the CPS STEM Exhibition Timeline of Events.

If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Kaestner, CPSSSF, Inc Chair, at stemexhibition@cps.edu or Elizabeth Copper, CPSSSF, Inc Executive Director and STEM Exhibition Consultant, at ecopper3@gmail.com.

Please complete the Letter of Intent Information by Friday, October 20, 2023