Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1975-2004 (Creation)
Extent
4.0 linear feet (4 records boxes)
Name of creator
Administrative history
Established in 1955, the Eastern South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair (ESDSEF) has served as a regional showcase for student research at South Dakota State University. Held each spring, the fair invites students in grades 6 through 12 to present independent scientific investigations across a wide range of disciplines. As an affiliated regional event of the International Science and Engineering Fair, projects are evaluated according to established scientific review, safety, and ethical standards, with top competitors advancing to national and international levels of competition.
Administered by a Fair Director and committee in collaboration with the SDSU chapter of Sigma Xi, the fair reflects a longstanding partnership between the university and the broader scientific community. Sponsorship has included Sigma Xi, South Dakota State University, the Division of Continuing Education, the Greater State Fund, and the SDSU Foundation. Over time, the event has been hosted in various campus venues, including Club 71 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, accommodating hundreds of student participants and judges.
Through medals, trophies, scholarships, and sponsored awards, the fair promotes STEM education and encourages young scholars to pursue scientific inquiry. For more than half a century, it has functioned as both an academic competition and a significant outreach initiative, strengthening connections between SDSU and schools across eastern South Dakota while fostering the next generation of researchers and innovators.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection documents the administration, outreach, and participation of the Eastern South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair (ESDSEF) and its affiliation with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), reflecting South Dakota State University’s longstanding commitment to youth engagement in STEM education. Spanning several decades, the records were created by fair administrators, faculty sponsors, student participants, and affiliated national organizations. Together, they provide detailed evidence of the organization, planning, and execution of science fairs at local, regional, and international levels.
Materials include programs, brochures, teacher and student information packets, judging guidelines, award documentation, and budget and planning files. Artifacts such as trophies, medals, commemorative pins, and memorabilia are present, along with photographs and scrapbook materials documenting event activities. Administrative correspondence, expense reports, and logistical planning records illustrate the operational scope of hosting large-scale academic competitions.
The collection also contains extensive ISEF documentation, including rule books, directories of affiliated fairs, finalist materials, travel instructions, press information, and a near-complete run of published ISEF abstract books from the 26th through the 54th fairs. These volumes preserve summaries of student research from across the United States and abroad. While references to Sigma Xi appear in scattered notes and proposals, its role is limited within the records. Overall, the collection highlights SDSU’s leadership in regional STEM outreach, its connection to national science education networks, and the evolving landscape of student scientific research over time.
System of arrangement
The collection is arranged by item type.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)
The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.
If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.
In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.
If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
- Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
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Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
Languages of the material
English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Copyright and Use Statement
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.