Information

2026 GSDSEF Schedule

In 2026 we will be at the Balboa Park Activity Center in Balboa Park, 2145 Park Blvd, San Diego.  

2025-26 Participation Process and Working on Project

August, 2025-January, 2026- Work on Project; go through SRC Review and Quality Screening;

for details, go to: How to Participate

Scientific Review (Safety) Committee Review - Complete by December 31, 2025

2026 Quality Screening Deadlines: 

    January 20 – 6th and 7th grade digital project submissions due

    January 27 – 8th grade digital project submissions due

    February 11 – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade digital project submissions due

    February 17-  All digital re-submissions are due (if you had Needs Modifications)   NO exceptions

2026 Applications (Tab 8), Payments and zFairs*: 

    February 20, 11:59PM – all GSDSEF Applications and Payments are due.  NO exceptions.  

    February 23- Students receive initial login email from zFairs 

    February 23-27-  Students complete accounts in zFairs and upload digital Judging Slidedecks and Notebooks. 

    February 27, 11:59pm-- Judging Digital Presentation and Notebooks must be uploaded to zFairs. 

    March 9-15-- Judges preview Digital Presentation information in zFairs

*What is zFairs?  We use zFairs to upload your digital project information--notebooks and Digital Presentations--so judges can preview your project in the weeks preceding the Fair.  It is also used to assign judges.  

GSDSEF dates for 2026 Fair: March 16-22, 2026.    Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC)

Monday, March 16, 2026

10am- 5pm-  Fair Setup

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 

8am-1pm- Fair Setup

1pm-7pm-- Student project setup at the BPAC-- Bring Backboard Displays and Notebooks!! Students--bring a chair! 

Wednesday, March 18, 2026: 

7:15-8:00am-- Student dropoff at the BPAC   Students, bring a lunch!

8:00- 11:30am--  Categorical Judging

10:00 -11:30 - Professional Society Judging

11:30- noon-- Student Lunch

noon- 2:00pm--  Professional Society Judging 

12:30pm-3:00pm--  Grand Awards Judging

3:00-3:30-- Student pick up 

Thursday, March 19, 2026: 

BPAC Closed

6:00-8:30pm-- Awards Ceremony --  TBD, San Diego

Friday, March 20, 2026

BPAC closed to the public.  Open for student tours 10am-2pm. No reservation necessary. 

Saturday, March 21, 2026 

10am- 1pm-- BPAC open to public to view projects. 

1pm-3pm-- Students may start to take projects. 

Sunday, March 22, 2026

10am- 1pm --Project pickup 

1pm-6pm-- BPAC Cleanup