Program Purpose

The Big E Scholars Program pairs the educational mission of Eastern States Exposition (ESE) with learners and educators to create a meaningful, experiential day at the Fair that impacts students beyond their visit.

This program gives educators and students in any grade, year of study, or educational program the opportunity to design an experience that enhances their classroom learning by tying in aspects of ESE's mission that are present at the Fair. This is like a grant application; applicants accepted to the program receive complimentary admission to The Big E for all participating students and educators. Additionally, Big E Scholars are connected with ESE staff to complete their project.

 

ESE Mission & Purpose

Eastern States Exposition is a not-for-profit corporation committed to excellence in providing year-round opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, education, industry, and family entertainment while preserving our New England heritage. 

Statement of Purpose

• Provide an educational experience for urban and rural persons, especially youth, through programs and exhibitions designed to include local and regional participation, demonstrations, and competition. 
• Provide a show window to present the agricultural and other resources of the Northeast and beyond 
• Provide regional facilities for the use in serving the best interest of New England and the Northeast 
• Focus on New England heritage and its pioneering spirit that contributes to progress 

If you have any questions as you progress through the application process, please contact Director of Education & HR Jessica K. Fontaine at jfontaine@TheBigE.com or 413.205.5051

How to Apply
You will be asked to upload the following information. Each section should be uploaded in a separate PDF later in this form.

• An introduction letter (maximum of 500 words) to you and/or your organization/school and the project. It should summarize how this will enhance learning, how it aligns with our mission, and any needs this fulfills for you/your students that cannot be easily met without this opportunity.
  
  
• Provide a detailed description of the project (maximum of 500 words), including:
  • Goals and objectives: What you aim to achieve.
  • Activities: What you will do while you're at the Big E to support your educational goals and objectives.
  • Timeline: A schedule for project implementation.
  • Target population: Who are the participating students? (i.e. elementary students, after school program group with range of ages, college student capstone project, etc.)
    
    
• Explain how you will measure the success (maximum 200 words) of the project and any tangible evidence you will be able to provide after your visit to the Big E. (i.e. you are doing a film project and the final film link will be provided; your students are exploring life skills and you will provide testimonials from them on how this helped; you are doing a data analysis and will present your findings, etc.)
  
  
• Explain how any financial support could benefit your project. Provide a specific outline of expenses that may go into your project.
  • Financial support for transportation to the Big E may be available through our Board of Trustees Grant Program. Financial support is not a guarantee of this program.
    
    
• Include any additional supporting documents, such as letters of support, resumes, or relevant data. 

Project Examples

Urban Preschool/Pre-K, 30 students, Farmers Unit

As part of their unit on "farmers," educators would like to introduce students to a farmer and help them understand the variety of jobs on a farm. Prior to their trip to the fair the students will engage with literacy, math, and fine motor-based activities that all connect to the farmers theme. Upon visiting the fair, the students visit Farm-a-Rama where they engage with the ESE Agriculture staff to participate in hands-on activities, including learning about cultivation of produce and visiting with animals on site that day. Following their trip to the fair students all create drawings of the job they'd like to have on a farm; these are shared digitally with the Eastern States Exposition.

 

Suburban Middle School, 150 Grade 8 Students, Media Literacy

Students are working to analyze news articles for credibility and have chosen the Eastern States Exposition to assess. They have been asked to review articles from the local newspaper as well as social media commentary and write an editorial based on the facts and opinions they have found. To culminate the project students will visit the Big E where they will meet with members of the ESE staff featured in the articles or who can give their first-person perspective on what is described. Following their visit to the Big E they will address any changes they would make to their editorial perspective after meeting with ESE staff. The final essays are shared with the ESE Marketing department.

 

Special Needs Day Program, 15 Adults, Social Skills

Program facilitators are working with teen and adult participants on social skills and applying them in a variety of situations. Participants will meet with Agriculture staff to learn about local produce and how to select fresh produce at the grocery store, HR staff to understand what employers look for in a good employee, and general practical skills while their at the fair (cash exchange, navigating a busy/loud space, etc.). Following the fair, participants meet with HR staff for mock interviews to continue to enhance their preparation for success in a job.

 

Undergraduate College Student, Film Assignment

An area college student is completing a short film on historical sites in Massachusetts and their significance in the Revolutionary War. The student would film buildings at Storrowton Village Museum that existed during the revolutionary period as well as interview a staff member on their feelings about the significance of these buildings. When the project is complete the student will share the film with ESE.

 

Application Deadline

Priority Deadline for the 2026 Big E is May 31. Any submissions received by May 31 will be notified by June 5. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis through July 31.

Any applications submitted after July 31 will be considered for the for the following year's Big E unless space remains available for the current year.

I agree that all information completed on this application and documents submitted are true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that application and submissions will be used for purposes of determination of admission to The Big E Scholars Program. I also understand that completion of application does not guarantee admission or benefits of the program. Projects that do not compliment the mission and purpose of the Eastern States Exposition will be disqualified. I understand that if selected for the program it is non-transferable to another group, program, school, etc. and is only valid for the year awarded.