I moved to the Jefferson County area a little over 4 years ago and I was told about the Mastodon Fair. I really didn't know what to expect but it did intrigue me as I am very interested in science and art.
When I got to the fair I was immediately blown away, both by the quantity and the quality of the projects the Fair brings in. Not to mention that the Mastodon Fair is the nations largest Art and Science Fair and it awards over $55,000 in prizes and scholarships to students each year!
Another amazing fact about the Fair is that a handful of participants each year have the opportunity to go onto National and International Competitions and many of these students win!
The Mastodon Fair is changing lives and helping cultivate the future leaders of Jefferson Count, St Louis County and Missouri.
Review from Guidestar
I have been participating in the Mastodon Art and Science Fair for the past 10 years as an art judge and this year as an art director. This organization has always been very professional in the handling of all of the children's entries and they make it a pleasure to volunteer. For me it has always been something I look forward to each year because you get so much more out of it than the time you put into it. Being able to see all the exceptional work that is being created by our local children in art and science makes it all worth the effort.
Review from Guidestar
The MASRF has provided science and art inspiration to thousands of students. As a teacher, I often hear from students and parents about how the fair has helped determine their career choice. Also, heartwarming stories like this - At one of our early award ceremonies the students would come on stage, say their name and school, and then receive their blue ribbon award. After one of the students recieved her award, her parents starting quietly crying. Unbeknownst to us, the student was austistic and this was the first time she had EVER spoken in public!!
The Mastodon Fair started as a grass roots effort by ladies in the community. For 30 years volunteers and donations from the community has kept it going. Why? Because the Mastodon Fair makes a difference in the lives of students - helping them to excel from the inside out. Skills can be taught. Self-esteem has to be earned. The Mastodon Fair creates opportunities to have students self-esteem radically improved. It is a prestigious art and science Fair with the local reputation that "If you win at the Mastodon Fair, you have really done well!" Our professional judges keep the quality standard very high, and students stretch themselves to exceed those standards. The Mastodon Fair is truly an organization that makes a difference in student lives!