The next morning we had another awards ceremony for governmental recognition. It encompassed honors given by the Army, Navy, and a number of other associated organizations. We had a recess between the time that the government awards ceremony ended and the grand awards ceremony started for packing and socializing. Then we gathered back into the hall for the most anticipated awards ceremony (not to mention the longest).

For each category, awards of Grand, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th are given. The number of 1st through 4th places vary depending on the proportion of entrants in a particular field, but there is only one Grand award for each category. Unfortunately the Michigan delegation did not have the honor of recognizing a Grand Award recipient, but we had the distinct privilege to have our team project place 2nd in the world, and an ISEF veteran place 3rd in Math. We spent the night doing project teardown in the fair, and engaged in the last occasion of vandalizing our chaperones' doors with our science fair boards.