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Important: 2026 Parking Update Despite our extensive efforts, GSDSEF has been unable to secure free parking at Balboa Park with the City of San Diego. Please note: All visitors must follow Balboa Park’s new tiered parking rules Rates vary by your residency as well as the duration and location of your parking You may be required to pre-register an account and/or download an app on your smartphone If pre-registering an account, do not wait until the last minute, because they can take awhile for the City to approve (though not the 48hrs they warn about, in our experience) ADA parking remains free in all stalls for those with a valid disabled license plate or placard Click here for the latest City of San Diego information about Balboa Park Parking and how to obtain a parking pass GSDSEF volunteers do not qualify for the "Balboa Park Volunteer" free parking category The Upper Inspiration Point lot is the closest to the BPAC

SHOW YOUR BRILLIANCE SAN DIEGO'S SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR SINCE 1955 Science | Technology | Engineering | Math | Open to all San Diego and Imperial County Students Grades 6th through 12th Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fairs Since 1955, the GREATER SAN DIEGO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR (GSDSEF) has provided an inspiring experience in science and engineering for tens of thousands of San Diego and Imperial County students, motivating them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This regional competition challenges students to go beyond classroom studies to do independent research – to ask compelling questions, to design and implement innovative solutions, and to present and defend results to judges who are professionals in their fields. Learn More STUDENTS How to Participate Student Resources Project Categories Mentoring Program Workshops LOGIN Calendar & Schedule Past Results Latest News TEACHERS How to get your Students Involved Create Account Advisor Responsibilities Teacher Resources LOGIN 72nd Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair The 72nd Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair was held this year at the Balboa Park Activity Center, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Read More 75th International Science and Engineering Fair (2025) The world's largest and most prestigious science competition, concluded with the Grand Awards ceremony in host city Columbus, Ohio. Over 30 million high school students from 1,600 affiliated fairs in 70 countries competed to qualify, of which only 1,700 students made it, including 10 from the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Read More BECOME A SPONSOR Thank You To Our Sponsors JUDGES Read More PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND AWARDS Read More VOLUNTEERS Read More Important Dates JAN 2026 2 Student Registration Begins MAR 2026 12 Application Payments Required. TEACHERS This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video. LOGIN Get Your Students Involved Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles. Advisor Responsibilities Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles. Teacher Resources Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles. STUDENTS The Science Fair is your gateway to discovering the endless possibilities within the scientific world. LOGIN HOW TO GET STARTED The GSDSEF follows the rules and guidelines set by the International Science and Engineering Fair. The GSDSEF has set additional guidelines to protect the safety of participants in addition to the ISEF Rules and Guidelines. PARTICIPATION PROCESS This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. STUDENT RESOURCES This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. MENTORING / TUTORING This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. STUDENT AND TEACHERS RESOURCES The Greater San Diego Engineering & Science Fair promises an enriching experience for students and teachers alike. We have carefully organized a set of rules to guide participants through the event, providing a clear understanding of project categories and expectations. Get ready to engage with the wonders of science in a meaningful way! Explore ISEF and GSDEF Rules Sample text for Introduction of Rules Read More Categories Sample text for Introduction for Categories Read More Judges Sample text for Introduction for Judges Read More FEATURED PROJECTS Student Project Highlights ALL PROJECTS I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. CASE STUDY Project Spotlight Year completed: 2025 STUDENT Describe the client PROBLEM ISSUE: DESCRIBE

Information 2026 GSDSEF Schedule 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, and 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, NO EXCEPTIONS – All digital re-submissions due (if your initial screening result was "Needs Modifications") 2026 Applications (Tab 8), Payments, and zFairs*: February 20, 11:59PM, NO EXCEPTIONS – all GSDSEF Applications and Payments are due February 23 – Students receive initial login email from zFairs February 23 - March 1 – Students complete accounts in zFairs, and upload PDFs of their Digital Judging Presentation (slides) and Notebook March 1, 11:59pm (deadline extended) – Judging Digital Presentation and Notebook PDFs must be uploaded to zFairs for each project 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. zFairs is also used to assign judges to judging teams and teams to projects. GSDSEF dates for the 2026 Fair : March 16-22, 2026, at the Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC) Monday, March 16, 2026 10am-5pm – Fair Setup Tuesday, March 17, 2026 8am-1pm – Fair Setup 1-7pm – 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 – Category Awards Judging 10:00-11:30am – Special Awards Judging 11:30am-12:00pm – Student Lunch 12:00-2:00pm – Special Awards Judging 12:30pm-3:00pm – Grand Awards Judging 3:00-3:30pm – Student pick up Thursday, March 19, 2026: BPAC Closed 6:00-8:30pm – Awards Ceremony (The Magnolia, 210 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92020 , with free parking adjacent to the theater on W D Hall Drive off E Main St) 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 pick up their projects Sunday, March 22, 2026 10am-1pm – Project pickup 1pm-6pm – BPAC Cleanup

Information Award Sponsors & Criteria Our Thanks to Special Award Sponsors We extend our sincere appreciation to the organizations that support GSDSEF students through Special Awards. Their continued involvement helps celebrate student achievement and fosters meaningful connections between students and the broader STEM community. Special Award Sponsors and Award Criteria To help students, educators, and families better understand Special Awards, click here to view the GSDSEF Special Award Sponsors and Award Criteria , which includes information about recent Special Award sponsors and the award criteria established by each organization. Please note that the number, scope, and criteria of Special Awards may vary from year to year. GSDSEF Special Award Sponsors and Award Criteria Interested in Sponsoring a Special Award? If your organization is interested in sponsoring a Special Award or would like to learn more about this opportunity, please visit our Contact Us page. We would be delighted to connect and explore how you can support our students. Recent Special Award Sponsors The organizations listed below represent a sample of recent Special Award sponsors and do not constitute a complete or definitive list: Air and Waste Management Association - San Diego Chapter American Psychological Association American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers, San Diego Section American Society of Non Destructive Testing (San Diego Section) Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Association for Women Geoscientists Association for Women in Science San Diego BD “Advancing the World of Health” Award Broadcom “Coding with Commitment” Award Building Industry Association Cares California Association of Professional Scientists California Environmental Health Association Southwest Chapter and County of San Diego DEHQ California School Nurse Organization - San Diego/Imperial (CSNO- SDI) Citadel Securities Innovation Prize Collins Aerospace’s Fred H. Rohr Science Award Department of Defense (DoD) STEM Leadership Prize DRS Daylight Solutions Award for Optical Physics and Engineering DRS Daylight Solutions Project Assistance Award for Optical Physics and Engineering General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation Kaiser Permanente Blue Ribbon Award Lemelson Early Inventor Prize Marine Technology Society NASA EARTH System Science Award National Geographic Award National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” Award Nature Needs SD Office of Naval Research (U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps) Professional Engineers in California Government Award Regeneron Biomedical Science Award Ricoh USA, Inc. San Diego Astronomy Association San Diego Chapter, American Society of Materials International San Diego County Dental Foundation San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association San Diego County Water Authority San Diego Psychological Association San Diego Section, American Chemical Society Scripps Research Young Scientist Award Society for In Vitro Biology Society for Women Engineers - San Diego County Section Stockholm Junior Water Prize Taiwan Award The Society of American Military Engineers - San Diego Post Thermo Fisher Award Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Torrey Pines Docent Society U.S. Air Force U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) U.S. Metric Association Yale Science and Engineering Association

Information FAQsf Frequently Asked Questions about Special Awards Judging at the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair Basics & Registration What is a "Special Award"? Formerly known as Professional Society Awards, these are honors given independently by outside organizations (businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, etc.). How does an organization sign up? Contact Sejal Pabari, Special Awards Coordinator, at sejal.pabari@gsdsef.org . Provide a brief overview of your organization, your judging criteria, and the planned prize. How do individual judges sign up? Judging teams are assembled by the Judging Captain through their specific Organization, not the GSDSEF website. Once you have joined a team, you will be asked to register individually on the zFairs website . This will allow you to preview projects ahead of the judging day. Logistics: When & Where Date: Wednesday of Fair Week (typically the 2nd or 3rd week of March). [ See Full Schedule ]. In-Person Location: Typically at Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC) - 2145 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92101. Carpooling is strongly recommended. Virtual Judging: Conducted via gsdsef.zfairs.com . No interviews; winners are selected based on digital materials (abstracts/slides). Winners list is due by 4:00 PM on Judging Day. Preparing for Judging Day Finding Projects: Use the zFairs Student Showcase 1 - 2 weeks before the Fair to preview abstracts and search by keywords. Your Judging Captain may also receive a spreadsheet of abstracts ahead of time. What to Bring: Writing instruments and a clipboard. Note paper or your organization’s specific judging forms. Your Judging Captain’s cell phone number Note: A lanyard and ID badge will be provided on-site. You will not be permitted to enter the BPAC without your lanyard Dress Code: Wear comfortable walking shoes: While students wear professional attire, judges are not required to do so. We encourage wearing your organization’s pins or badges. On-Site Procedures Check-In/Out: Only the Judging Captain needs to check in at the GSDSEF desk to collect team materials and check out to submit final winner forms. Finding Your Team: The BPAC is loud and cell reception can be spotty. Make arrangements to meet your team outside the building or for lunch before entering. Building Access: You must wear your provided lanyard to enter. If you arrive late, call your Captain to walk you in. Food & Water: No food or drink (except capped water bottles) is allowed in the judging area. No meals are sold on-site. We recommend teams plan a group lunch nearby before or after judging. Judges’ Caucus Area: A limited seating area is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are welcome to bring folding chairs or blankets for outdoor team discussions. Interacting with Students Be Supportive: Many students (especially younger ones) are nervous. Introduce yourself, your organization, and use open-ended questions. Time Management: Limit interviews to 5–7 minutes . Be mindful of other judges waiting to speak with students at popular projects. Maintain Suspense: Do not tell a student they have won. We want them to be surprised at the Awards Ceremony. Photos: You may take photos with the student's permission (they have signed media releases). To avoid "tipping off" winners, mention you are photographing many students. Business Cards/Fliers: Only hand these out if you have enough for every student you interview to avoid showing bias. GSDSEF’s standard rubric and other judging resources can be found here: Additional Judging Resources Choosing & Contacting Winners Reporting Winners: Your Judging Captain submits one winner form. You will receive a printed list of student contact information on the spot. Initial Contact: Do not reach out until after the Awards Ceremony. Once the fair concludes, please send a "Congratulations" email or next-step instructions as soon as possible so students aren't left wondering. The "End of April" Deadline: Students are instructed to contact the GSDSEF if they haven't heard from their awarding organization by the end of April . Reaching out to your winners in a timely manner helps us avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. Prize Delivery: Organizations are responsible for delivering prizes. You may mail them, leave them at the GSDSEF for weekend pickup, or invite winners to your own organization's symposium or board meeting. Incorrect Info: If student contact info is wrong, email sejal.pabari@gsdsef.org for assistance. Still have questions? Contact Special Awards Lead Sejal Pabari at sejal.pabari@gsdsef.org.

Information Judges Info The Fair has three sets of judges: Category Awards Judges These judges decide the Fair's own placements (first through third) in each of the categories of the Junior and Senior Divisions . Category Judging will take place on Wednesday morning, March 18th, 2026 from 7:30am–12:00pm. Grand Awards Judges These judges decide on the Fair's top awards in Life and Physical Sciences. Grand Awards Judging will take place on Wednesday afternoon, March 18th, 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Special Awards (Registered Professional Societies) These judges choose among the participants based on specific criteria, as described on this page . Special Awards Judging will take place during assigned periods per organization on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026. Judging Descriptions Category Awards Judging The Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair is an exciting and important San Diego community event that relies entirely on the generosity of our community's volunteers. The Fair will usually have over 400 science projects on display and the over 450 6th-12th graders who produced them. Being a judge is a lot more fun than you might think, mostly requiring just listening to enthusiastic young kids tell you what they did. For anyone new to judging, there is a great deal of advice regarding how to judge and what kinds of questions to ask on this page . Category Judging is always done in teams, so each team will have an experienced captain and others who can advise new judges. You don’t need to be a PhD (although we do appreciate having PhD’s on our judging teams). You do need a background in science, math, computers, or engineering (except perhaps for the Product Testing category), and a good knowledge of the scientific method. Click here to learn more about Category Awards Judging Grand Awards Judging (formerly Sweepstakes Awards Judging) These are the very best projects in the Fair. Projects recommended for Grand Award consideration are reviewed by teams of our most experienced judges during the afternoon judging session (5 or more years of experience are required). Four Grand Award and four Runners-up are selected in both Junior (7th-8th grade) and Senior (9th-12th grade) Divisions. Special Awards Judging Numerous professional societies and other organizations present Special Awards at the GSDSEF. Each provides its own judges and sets its own criteria for awards. Details are described on this page . Click here to learn more about Special Awards Judging

Information What Are Special Awards? Note: What were previously referred to as “Professional Society Awards” are now called “Special Awards.” This updated name better reflects the wide variety of organizations - from nonprofits to global corporations - that participate in sponsoring these recognitions. “Special Awards” is a broad term used to describe any recognition given independently by a participating group, organization, or company at the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair (GSDSEF). This includes industry organizations, professional societies, special interest groups, businesses, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. Each year, these organizations come together to celebrate student achievement by sponsoring Special Awards that honor excellence in specific fields - from engineering and environmental science to health, innovation, and community impact. Why Special Awards Matter Special Awards are a meaningful way to recognize and encourage promising young scientists and engineers. These awards connect students with real-world opportunities and highlight exceptional work that aligns with an organization’s mission or values. Special Awards by the Numbers Our Special Awards program is a cornerstone of the GSDSEF experience: 60+ sponsoring organizations, including professional societies, businesses, and government agencies. 250+ professional judges representing local and national industries. 200+ unique awards and recognitions. $40,000+ in total prizes and scholarships awarded annually. How Special Awards Work There is no set minimum financial commitment - you have full flexibility to customize your involvement: Define Your Award: You determine the award’s name, field of interest, selection criteria, and the prize. Choose Your Prize: Awards range from formal certificates and branded swag to professional event invitations. Monetary awards typically range from $100 to $1,000, though some organizations choose to sponsor immersive experiences. Select Your Winners: You can send your own representatives to judge on-site or have the GSDSEF select winners based on your specific criteria. Celebrate Achievement: Awardees are recognized during the GSDSEF Awards Ceremony, and sponsors receive contact information to follow up with their winners directly. Become a Sponsor We welcome participation from industry organizations, professional societies, nonprofits, startups, and academic institutions. Help us inspire the next generation of leaders in science and innovation. Ready to get started? If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please contact our Special Awards Coordinator: Sejal Pabari | specialawards@gsdsef.org

Sponsors Sponsors The GSDSEF wishes to thank the following sponsors: Premier Sponsor $25,000 and up Qualcomm Diamond Sponsors $15,000 - $24,999 PECG (Professional Engineers in California Government) Xzom Platinum Sponsors $10,000 - $14,999 ASML Broadcom Foundation General Atomics Science Education Foundation Lilly Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation Gold Sponsors $5000 - $9,999 Thermo Fisher Scientific Silver Sponsors $2,500 - $4,999 Collins Aerospace Systems DRS Daylight Solutions Future Forward Labs Pfizer Bronze Sponsors $1,000 - $2,499 Taiwanese American Foundation of S.D. Friends of GSDSEF In-Kind Sponsors San Diego County Office of Education San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Signa Digital Solutions Area Merchants, Businesses, Community Organizations San Diego City Parks and Recreation – Balboa Park Activity Center Community Volunteers

Sponsors How To Support The Fair The GSDSEF Needs Your Support Since 1955, the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair has been fostering creativity and innovation through inquiry and design. We celebrate students' STEM achievements and showcase how young minds can make an impact in the present and future. Why Contribute? The GSDSEF ... provides a forum for students to showcase their STEM research to the community. is a networking opportunity for students and the scientific, business, and academic communities. provides student recognition through awards and scholarships. provides an opportunity to advance to state, national, international, and other science and engineering competitions. By contributing to the GSDSEF, you are supporting the next generation of scientists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians, health-care professionals – the problem-solvers...doers...innovators...constructors – those who will make a positive difference in the world. GSDSEF_Brochure_for_Fundraising_ .pdf Download PDF • 1.06MB Become a Corporate Sponsor Premier - $25,000 and up • Major Sponsor of the GSDSEF • Introductory speech at Awards Ceremony, banner displayed • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Diamond - $15,000 - $24,999 • Presence on stage at Awards Ceremony, banner displayed • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Platinum- $10,000 - $14,999 • Mention at the Awards Ceremony, banner displayed Gold - $5,000 - $9,999 • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Silver - $2,500 - $4,999 • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Bronze - $1,000 - $2,499 • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Friends of GSDSEF - $999 and less • Name displayed on Sponsor page—no logo GSDSEF_Sponsorship_Levels .pdf Download PDF • 273KB Contact our team at sponsor@gsdsef.org to become a Corporate Sponsor. For individual or group donations, please contact us via the Contact Us Online link at the bottom of the page. Your support of the students of San Diego and Imperial Counties is greatly appreciated! The GSDSEF wishes to thank the following sponsors: Premier Sponsor $25,000 and up Qualcomm Diamond Sponsors $15,000 - $24,999 PECG (Professional Engineers in California Government) Xzom Platinum Sponsors $10,000 - $14,999 ASML Broadcom Foundation General Atomics Science Education Foundation Lilly Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation Gold Sponsors $5000 - $9,999 Thermo Fisher Scientific Silver Sponsors $2,500 - $4,999 Collins Aerospace Systems DRS Daylight Solutions Future Forward Labs Pfizer Bronze Sponsors $1,000 - $2,499 Taiwanese American Foundation of S.D. Friends of GSDSEF In-Kind Sponsors San Diego County Office of Education San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Signa Digital Solutions Area Merchants, Businesses, Community Organizations San Diego City Parks and Recreation – Balboa Park Activity Center Community Volunteers GSDSEF is an all-volunteer, registered tax-exempt California non-profit 501 (c) 3 Corporation, operating as a Public Charity Status. We are totally dependent on donations from industry, business, and friends like you to make the science fair possible. EIN #23-7332855

Important Student Reminders Remember on Tues-Wed March 17-18: Badges can be picked up once you have completed your Secondary Size & Safety check T-shirts (if you ordered one) can be picked up near the check-in table inside the Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC). Wednesday you will need to be dropped off between 7:15 and 8:00 AM Line up on the north side (close to Park Blvd) of the BPAC before 8:00.You will be allowed in exactly at 8:00. Proceed to your project and get ready for judging, which starts at 8:15. Dismissal/Pickup on Wednesday is between 3:00 and 3:30 PM. Remember to bring your lunch as there is nothing to buy here! A water bottle with a screw on cap is also fine to bring You can bring a chair, and quiet things to do such as a book, homework, cards. If you are bringing home parts of your project overnight, you need to have them approved in the Size and Safety tent outside (to get a green re-entry sticker for each item) and bring them in the morning.

Past Results Fair Past Results 2025 - 71st Annual GSDSEF Results 2024 - 70th Annual GSDSEF Results 2023 - 69th Annual San Diego Science and Engineering Fair 2022 - 69th Annual San Diego Science and Engineering Fair

Latest News The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair Jun 6, 2025 The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest and most prestigious science competition, concluded with the Grand Awards ceremony in host city Columbus, Ohio. Read More The 71st Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair Jan 26, 2025 The 71st Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair Was Held in 2025 At The Balboa Park Activity Center, 2145 Park Blvd, On Wednesday, March 12. Read More