Society for Science Affiliated Fairs Network

Grades

6th-12th grade (middle school and high school)

Age

No specific age restrictions beyond grade level

Citizenship

Open to students in 70+ countries, regions, and territories worldwide; no citizenship restrictions mentioned

Prerequisites

Must submit a STEM research project following International Rules for Pre-college Science Research; project can be individual or team-based

Steps

1. 1. Find your nearest Society-affiliated science fair using the Find-a-Fair tool at findafair.societyforscience.org
2. 2. Develop a STEM research project following International Rules for Pre-college Science Research
3. 3. Register and submit project with your local/regional affiliated fair (specific deadlines vary by fair)
4. 4. Present project to judges at the affiliated fair
5. 5. If selected as a top project (varies by fair size and number of slots), advance to regional/state fair
6. 6. If selected at state level, advance to national/international ISEF competition
7. 7. For JIC (middle school): Top 10% of 6th-8th graders nominated by fair; nominees complete online application for JIC competition

Materials Needed

• Completed research project (experiment, investigation, or engineering design)
• Project display board or presentation materials
• Research paper or documentation
• Abstract of project
• Proper documentation of research methodology and results
• Evidence of following International Rules for Pre-college Science Research

Timeline

Most U.S. science fairs held January-March; international fairs may vary in timing; students should begin project development 3-6 months prior to fair date (typically September-October for January-March fairs); registration deadlines typically 1-2 months before fair date

Cost

Varies by individual fair; many local/regional fairs are free or low-cost to enter; travel costs to state/ISEF may apply if advanced

What Judges Look For

• Adherence to International Rules for Pre-college Science Research (critical requirement)
• Quality and originality of research question/hypothesis
• Proper experimental design and methodology
• Thorough data collection and analysis
• Clear presentation and communication of findings
• Understanding of project by student(s)
• Practical significance and potential impact of research
• Technical quality and innovation of engineering projects (if applicable)
• Appropriate use of scientific equipment and techniques

Scoring

Specific rubric details not publicly detailed; judging based on scientific merit, methodology rigor, originality, and presentation quality; each affiliated fair may have slightly different weighting

Common Mistakes

• Not following International Rules for Pre-college Science Research (automatic disqualification risk)
• Choosing project topics that are too complex or require professional lab access
• Insufficient time for data collection and analysis
• Poor project board organization or unclear presentation
• Not being able to explain project in depth to judges
• Using data from secondary sources instead of original research
• Inadequate documentation of methodology
• Failing to identify proper scientific controls
• Not updating fairs registry on time; fairs affiliate through December 31 of each year

Acceptance Rate

Varies significantly by fair and location; competitive state fairs may have 5-15% advancement rate to national level; local fairs typically advance 10-20% of projects to next level

Applicants

ISEF receives projects from approximately 6,000+ students annually across affiliated fairs globally; thousands more participate in local/regional fairs without advancing

Winners / Selected

ISEF selects approximately 1,500+ finalists to compete at international event; exact numbers vary annually; each affiliated fair has designated number of slots to send to ISEF (typically 1-5 projects per fair depending on size)

• Start project development early (September-October) to allow 4-6 months for research
• Choose a research question that genuinely interests you—judges detect lack of engagement
• Find a mentor (teacher, professor, or professional) to guide project design and methodology
• Ensure your project follows all International Rules for Pre-college Science Research to avoid disqualification
• Focus on original research you can conduct yourself; avoid overly ambitious projects requiring professional labs
• Document every step of your research process with photos, notes, and data recordings
• Practice explaining your project thoroughly; judges assess understanding through questioning
• Create a clear, visually organized display board that tells the story of your research
• Include proper statistical analysis and controls in experimental design
• Get feedback from judges and teachers; many fairs offer judging comments for improvement
• If advancing to higher levels, refine presentation based on feedback from previous rounds
• Build in time for unexpected delays, failed experiments, or data collection challenges
• For group projects, ensure equal contribution from all team members
• Register early with your local fair to secure a spot if space is limited
• Research and reach out to affiliated fairs in your area by fall of the prior year

How to Prepare

• Take advanced science courses (AP/IB Biology, Chemistry, Physics) to strengthen background knowledge
• Explore STEM fields through clubs, labs, and extracurriculars to identify research interests
• Learn research methodology through science classes and independent reading of scientific papers
• Brainstorm project ideas that are feasible, original, and researchable within time/resource constraints
• Identify a mentor (teacher, professor, or professional) in your field of interest before September
• Review International Rules for Pre-college Science Research thoroughly to understand all requirements
• Develop a detailed research plan with hypothesis, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes
• Conduct preliminary research/literature review to ensure project hasn't been done before
• Set up necessary equipment and materials before September to begin data collection
• Follow research plan closely, documenting all steps and results meticulously
• Analyze data using appropriate statistical methods for your project type
• Create visuals (graphs, charts, photos) that clearly communicate findings
• Write clear research paper explaining background, methods, results, and conclusions
• Design project board following standard science fair layout guidelines
• Practice presentation multiple times before fair to build confidence
• Prepare to answer challenging questions from judges about methodology and findings
• Gather letters of recommendation from mentor or teachers if required for advanced levels

Resources

• International Rules for Pre-college Science Research (official Society for Science guidelines)
• Find-a-Fair database: https://findafair.societyforscience.org
• Society for Science official website: https://www.societyforscience.org
• Regeneron ISEF official site for rules and past projects
• Scientific research paper databases (PubMed, Google Scholar) for literature reviews
• YouTube tutorials on science fair project boards and presentations
• High school science teachers and AP Science courses
• University professors and graduate students as potential mentors
• Local museum science centers and community colleges offering lab access
• Science fair planning guides and project management tools
• Books on scientific method and experimental design
• Online science communities and forums for project feedback

Time Needed

Minimum 4-6 months of dedicated research (September-February for January-March fair submission); realistic timeline is 6-9 months including planning, literature review, preliminary testing, full data collection, analysis, and presentation preparation

Successful ISEF participants typically have: strong academic records in STEM subjects; genuine passion for their research topic; mentorship from teachers, professors, or professionals; 4-6 months of dedicated research time; projects that combine rigorous methodology with novel investigation; clear communication skills and confidence presenting to judges; often previous experience in science fairs; frequently attend selective high schools with strong STEM programs; many winners have access to university labs or professional mentorship; projects often address real-world problems or test cutting-edge scientific questions; strong critical thinking skills and ability to explain limitations of their work

Science fair participation, especially ISEF qualification, is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers at selective universities. ISEF and regional/state fair wins demonstrate: genuine passion for STEM, ability to conduct independent research, scientific thinking and problem-solving skills, persistence and work ethic. ISEF qualification is particularly prestigious and often noted as significant achievement in college applications. Science fair research can lead to published papers or presentations at conferences, which substantially strengthens STEM college applications. For STEM-focused students, ISEF participation can be as impactful as other top-tier competitions like USAMO or Science Olympiad nationals. Admissions officers recognize this as evidence of real scientific contribution rather than just competition performance. Strong science fair students often receive STEM scholarships and merit aid from competitive colleges.

• Congressional App Challenge — Tier 3, competition
• ARML (American Regions Mathematics League) — Tier 3, competition
• AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) — Tier 3, competition
• National Science Bowl — Tier 3, competition
• Science Olympiad — Tier 3, competition