WHY PARTICIPATE
Are you a 6th through 12th grade student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math? Are you curious? Do you like to think outside the box? Do you enjoy building or creating things? Do you like to come up with solutions to problems? Do you want to make a difference in the future?
If you said yes to any of these questions, participating in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair is for you!
Need a little more convincing? … See the top ten reasons to do a science fair project from past student participants … Find out what past participants have to say about participating in the GSDSEF. …
- PPT… (Coming Soon)
- Check out the results from our most recent fairs showing the success of the students from the GSDSEF locally, nationally, and internationally! See the awards and scholarships that were received by students who participate in the GSDSEF and affiliate fairs!
- See what the GSDSEF is all about in our annual photojourney book :
GSDSEF participants meet judges who are doctors, scientists, engineers, computer scientists, and professors from universities. Students can win scholarships and other prizes. Find out more about the Judging and Awards.
We’re here to help you have successful and positive experience. We have workshops to get you started with a project, help you with the experimentation and data process, and help you get ready for the judging process. Scientists and engineers from the professional fields as well as past award winners are available to mentor and answer your questions.
Plus, EVERY student wins a Place Award and receives a ribbon award on stage at the Awards Ceremony and shake hands with San Diego leaders in STEM!!!
Are you ready to begin this adventure? Let’s GET STARTED by going to the How to Participate page.
SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS:
A science fair project is ultimately not about building a volcano or making a robot. It’s about experimentation, creativity and discovery. Students pull from many disciplines to complete an open-ended project. In the end, they not only get a sense of pride in their work, but also can earn awards, scholarships, and trips. Students use all the skills they have learned to put together a project. Writing, mathematics, speaking, art, logic, and critical thinking all play roles in the completion of a project. A science, engineering, or computer science project is a portfolio of student skills.
In the competitive world of college application, participation in this event is a great plus because it proves that the student can complete a long-term goal. Your involvement and encouragement are important in the success of your child’s science and engineering experience. The science fair is a tremendous opportunity for learning, and while your support is greatly appreciated, your child’s work needs to be his or her own.
If you have any questions, please contact us!! We are here to help and in some cases point your child in the directions to get project help.
Student Information for the 2020 GSDSEF
Junior Division and Senior Division projects can be in teams of no more than 2 members. For Junior Division, student team members must be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades. For Senior Division, student members must be in 9th through 12th grades.
For all team projects that have been "recommended" to participate in the GSDSEF each student team member must submit a separate application and pay the application fee.
Judging Team Projects Compared to Single Projects
In judging a team project in comparison to one done by an individual, it is fair to have a higher expectation of the team project regarding the overall level of effort involved in the project.
Team projects have greater resources (the number of minds working together) and therefore a greater capacity for more research and data collection, more time, effort, and thought spent on the project, and more analysis than someone acting alone. This should be evident in the project.
There should also be evidence of team collaboration and synergy among team members (which should become evident during the interview process).
Please check out the GSDSEF HOW TO PARTICIPATE and STUDENT RESOURCES pages for valuable information and resources on producing a quality science or engineering project.