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Abaco Science Fair 2025
 Science, Sustainability & the Queen Conch
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
New Vision Ministries

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Overview

Projects should show evidence of research into a topic surrounding “Science, Sustainability, and the Queen Conch.” This theme highlights the importance of blending scientific knowledge with sustainable practices to protect one of The Bahamas’ most iconic species—the Queen Conch—and the ecosystems it depends on. The Queen Conch not only plays a vital ecological role but also holds cultural and economic significance, making its protection essential for future generations. Projects should explore how science and innovation can guide sustainable use, conservation, and awareness, ensuring that the Queen Conch continues to thrive. Categories for projects might include, but are not limited to, marine conservation strategies, sustainable fisheries, ecosystem protection, cultural connections to the conch, and community-driven sustainability initiatives.

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  • Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Lower High

  • All information outlining how the project was done, key findings and conclusions, should be included in a poster presentation, using a maximum of 6ft of table space. Please be reminded if your project requires any additional props to be placed on the ground you must provide some type of mat to protect the flooring. Students will be given 5 - 8 minutes for project explanation which will be followed by a brief question and answer period. ​

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  • Upper High School Teams: Grades 10-12 only

  • All information outlining how the project was done, key findings and conclusions, should be included in a powerpoint presentation to explain their projects on stage in front of the audience. Students may include props along with the slideshow to help to explain their projects. Presentations should be no longer than 10 minutes.

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  • All Teams:

  • Projects must be based on scientific investigations, an experiment or surveys, including environmental and/or social perspectives. (**All high school projects must include the scientific method. If high schools do not use the scientific method, the project will be placed in the Non-competitive/Display category.**)

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  • All teams should also use their research to inform an action component that demonstrates student participation in solutions, behavior change, or community outreach for increasing public understanding of the services provided by the chosen ecosystem(s) or species. Proof or samples of the action component should be provided (photo copies, video, photographs, etc).

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  • All projects must include a list of sources/references for any photos, diagrams, definitions etc. that are borrowed for their project.

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  • Please note: Students who are homeschooled but live in Abaco can enter to participate in the competition. Please make entries based on the grade level they are currently in.

Judging Criteria

There are four components of each project to be judged:

 

1) Originality (Score 1- 10 points)

Projects should have original information and not just copy and paste from other sources not made by schools (e.g. brochures, internet). Students should be able to demonstrate an original thought process.

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2) Content (Score 1- 10 points)


Information should be consistent with chosen topic and relate to overall theme. For high schools: Headings should relate to the scientific method (abstract, introduction, hypothesis, methods, discussion/conclusion including sources of error and methods for improvement). For primary schools: Headings should reflect what you did, how you did it, and what you found out (do not need to use those phrases verbatim).

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3) Presentation for lower primary, upper primary and lower high ONLY (Score 1- 10 points)


Project should be well presented. If hand written, it should be legible. Projects should be neat and tidy, and follow a logical order. Projects which are eye-catching will score higher.


 

3.1) Presentation for upper high ONLY (Score 1- 10 points)

Students should have an organized powerpoint presentation that is easy to follow, easy to read and eye-catching. Presenters should speak clearly when presenting and must not exceed the limit of 10 minutes. 

 

4) Student Explanation (Score 1- 10 points)


Students should be able to answer questions posed to them by judges and display that they have an overall knowledge of the project. Students will be given 5 - 8 minutes for project explanation which will be followed by a brief question and answer period. ​

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*In the case of a tie, the project scoring higher on student explanation will be the winner.

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NOTES FOR ALL ENTRANTS

You are responsible for projects that are legible, audible, etc. depending on project format. 

Credit your sources of information (including photos, web research, interviews etc).

For lower and upper high school: You must show use of the scientific method in your project (steps listed below).

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Rules

  • Each school is allowed one entry per school category (i.e., one for lower primary, one for upper primary, etc.). Additional entries will be placed in the display category and will not be judged.
     

  • Prizes will be awarded to the winning school and not to individual students.
     

  • Registration opens Monday, September 8th 2025. Schools registered by Friday, October 10th 2025 will receive ONE bonus point towards their final score. Schools must complete entry forms by Friday, November 7th 2025.

REGISTER HERE

Registration opens on Monday, September 8th 2025. 
All entry forms must be submitted by Friday, November 7th 2025 the latest.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD...break it down!

  1. Ask a question

  2. Do some background research

  3. Form a hypothesis (educated guess)

  4. Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment 

  5. Make an observation from your experiment

  6. Analyze results and form a conclusion

  7. Report your results

HELPFUL TERMS

  • Queen Conch (Aliger gigas) - A large marine mollusk found throughout the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Recognized by its pink interior shell and spiral shape, the conch plays an important role in marine ecosystems by grazing on algae and contributing to seagrass bed health. Beyond its ecological value, the Queen Conch is a culturally iconic species, used in traditional food, music, and art across the region. Because of overfishing and habitat loss, Queen Conch populations have declined, making sustainable management and conservation critical for its survival.

  • Marine Conservation - The protection and sustainable management of oceans, seas, and coastal ecosystems to ensure their health, biodiversity, and resources are preserved for the future. It involves safeguarding marine species and habitats from threats such as overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, while promoting practices that balance human use with long-term ecosystem resilience.

  • Sustainability - The practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It focuses on balancing environmental health, economic development, and social well-being by using resources responsibly and protecting ecosystems for the long term.

  • Sustainable Fisheries - Fishing practices that harvest fish and other marine life at levels that can be maintained over the long term without depleting the population or damaging the surrounding ecosystem. They aim to balance the needs of people who rely on seafood for food and livelihoods with the health of ocean ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from marine resources.

  • Marine Protected Areas- Designated regions of oceans, seas, or coasts where human activities are managed or restricted to conserve marine ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and support the recovery of endangered species. MPAs help preserve habitats, maintain healthy fish populations, and sustain resources for future generations while sometimes allowing sustainable use like regulated fishing or eco-tourism.

  • Community based conservation- An approach to environmental protection that actively involves local communities in managing and safeguarding natural resources. It emphasizes the knowledge, needs, and participation of the people who live near or depend on ecosystems, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both the environment and the community’s social and economic well-being.

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