FAQs

Questions and Answers

Science Fair Questions and Answers
Most applicants - and their parents - have lots of questions about the Fair. We'd like to answer a few which come up every year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I be present for judging? What days are attendance mandatory? What should the display consist of? What should not be included? What should I wear? Is food provided? What happens during judging? How many awards are given? Besides being at the Fair and going on tours, what other activities are available? Are souvenirs available? How much time should an exhibitor spend at the Fair? When must he/she be there? Can I take my project down before Sunday, 3:00pm? Where can a student get additional fair information or project advice? Who runs the Science Fair? Are there other science fairs or contests to enter? Who handles problems, answers questions?

Question:	Must I be present for judging?
Answer:	YES! Attendance is mandatory for Judging Day! No exceptions will be made.

Question:	What days are attendance mandatory?
Answer:	There are 3 days which are attendance is mandatory. Tuesday - Registration of project - 3:00-7:00pm Wednesday - Judging Day - 7:45am- 2:30pm Sunday - Tear-down project - 3:00-5:00pm ONLY It is highly suggested to attend the Awards Ceremony on Thursday evening.

Question:	What should the display consist of? What should not be included?
Answer:	Read the Student Guide. As for the no-no's, any live organisms (this includes plants), no liquids (including water) anything potentially dangerous (hypodermic needles, disease organisms, etc.), anything of great monetary value (the guards can't be everywhere at once and the building is open to the public), anything large enough to infringe on another exhibitor's space (we just manage to crowd everybody in now) and live animals (It's against regulations and, while we're on the subject, be sure you are complying with the instructions regarding the use of live animals in projects as well as the specific rules regarding hazardous substances and devices, vertebrate tissues and human subjects, too! (See the list of Rules and Regulations.)

Question:	What should I wear?
Answer:	Tuesday - Registration & Set-up - Casual Attire. Wednesday - Judging - Business Attire. Thursday - Awards Ceremony - Business Attire.

Question:	Is food provided?
Answer:	If you ordered a lunch when you submit your application, then it is available for pickup on Judging Day only. Otherwise, exhibitors are responsible for their own lunch.

Question:	What happens during judging?
Answer:	Reminder: Students ONLY during Judging -- NO parents, teachers, etc. There are usually as many judges as there are exhibitors. They come in three varieties - regular (decide 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners), sweepstakes (select the overall champs) and professional society/special (choose winners of awards such as those presented by the Army, the San Diego Computer Society and Kaiser Permanente). Most interview students individually, a few in groups. The regular judges interview students between 8:15 and 11:15a.m. A special Sweepstakes team interviews the contenders selected by the regular teams. By working the same time slot as the Special/Professional Society judges (12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.), the Sweepstakes judges are able to preserve their anonymity and keep students "in the dark" regarding their status. In this way, many (probably most) of the sweepstakes judges will personally interview the winners selected in each category. Students should be prepared to explain their projects and/or to answer questions about it. This could involve giving a brief presentation in response to the question, "What did you do?" It can be helpful to outline a possible presentation in advance but don't memorize or read a set speech. Graphs, pictures and models can be helpful in explaining the more complicated aspects of a project. A couple of hints - 1) don't be afraid to say "I don't know" (In other words, don't try to fake it!) and 2) Relax! NOTE: Many judges study project reports before students arrive or after they leave.

Question:	How many awards are given?
Answer:	As the awards are based on merit, no restrictions are placed on the number which may be given. A single division -- junior zoology, for instance -- might include two first, no second and four third place winners. There are eighteen Sweepstakes awards -- four alternates in the Senior Division and four runners-up in the Junior Division -- and, of course, the four Junior and six Senior Sweepstakes winners. Special and Professional Society awards are also announced at the Awards Ceremony and some are presented there. But many are awarded later -- winners are notified. NOTE: The six sweepstakes winners in the senior division will receive $2000 scholarships plus one of the following: a trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair (4 will be given), a $2500 scholarhip or the trip to Taiwan.

Question:	Besides being at the Fair and going on tours, what other activities are available?
Answer:	The Zoo and most of the museums/galleries in the Park are open free to exhibitors wearing their badges. A list of these places will be posted near the Information Center. Also, join us Saturday for Family Day!

Question:	Are souvenirs available?
Answer:	Yes. T-shirts, mugs, keychains, bumper stickers, sweatshirts, coolers and more are available! All proceeds benefit the Fair. Support the Fair and take home a momento!

Question:	How much time should an exhibitor spend at the Fair? When must he/she be there?
Answer:	There are only three times when an exhibitor MUST be there: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 -- to set up the display (between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.) Bring any tools needed and, if required, an extension cord (MUST be three-pronged). Wednesday, April 1, 2009 -- for judging (Exhibitors Meeting - 7:45-8:15a.m.; First Judging Session - 8:15-11:15a.m.; Lunch - 11:15-Noon; Exhibitors Meeting - Noon-12:15p.m.; Second Judging Session - 12:15-2:30pm) *Note: NO BACKPACKS are allowed during judging* Sunday, April 5, 2009 -- to take the board down (between 3 and 5 p.m.) and, remember, NO PROJECT may be removed before 3 p.m.). As for when an exhibitor should be there to get the most out of the Fair - as much as possible. There are tours to take (see the flyer in this packet), project advisors/counselors to consult (sign up at the Information Center), places in the park to visit and people to meet (spend time by the project whenever possible). And, most exciting of all, there's the Awards Ceremony (Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 5:30 p.m., at Cox Arena when the winners are announced.

Question:	Can I take my project down before Sunday, 3:00pm?
Answer:	NO! By signing the application for entrance to the Fair, you agree to have your project up for public display until Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 3:00pm. There are no exceptions! If you cannot take down your project between 3:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday, April 5, 2009 please have a classmate, teacher or other responsible party take charge of it - they should have either 1) your exhibitor badge or 2) written note.

Question:	Where can a student get additional fair information or project advise?
Answer:	Two possible sources are the Science Fair Checklist and Rules and Regulations (available at all schools). Also, talk to the people listed in the last answer.

Question:	Who runs the Science Fair?
Answer:	The GSDSEF is an all-volunteer organization composed of people from throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties � some of whom have been with the Fair for its full 55 years, many of whom are former exhibitors. They are teachers, administrators, business people, scientists, etc. -- individuals dedicated to the promotion of student science research. Sponsors include The San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Water Authority, Qualcomm, The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego, Subway, Classic Party Rentals, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and other Friends of Science in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Question:	Are there other science fairs or contests to enter?
Answer:	Yes! Some winners will qualify to enter the California State Science Fair (See Nancy Taylor for details) and two of the four Senior Sweepstakes winners will be sent to the International Science and Engineering Fair. Also - check with science teachers about such competitions as the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition, and Intel Science Talent Search contests (to name a few). We urge everyone to apply!

Question:	Who handles problems, answers questions?
Answer:	Adults wearing "Management Committee" lanyards or Student Advisory Board members wearing green ribbons. Rich Julian handles tours. Shirley Miranda, Phil Gay, and Ron Domb are generally available to answer questions.

Your cooperation in complying with all regulations and requests of the Science and Engineering Fair's Management Committee will help make the Fair an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for you. If you have questions, please contact Mary Domb Mikkelson, GSDSEF (619-265-2698; FAX - 619-265-1439); Nancy Taylor, S.D. Co. Office of Education (858-292-3854; FAX - 858-576-9712); Pat Bannon, S.D. Diocese Schools (858-490-8240) or Melinda Gonzalez, Imperial County Schools (760-312-6540).