Information 2027 GSDSEF Schedule The 2027 GSDSEF will be held at the Balboa Park Activity Center in Balboa Park, 2145 Park Blvd, San Diego. See below for schedule details about the participation process and Fair Week: 2026-27 Participation Process Overview Student Account Creation Deadline 2026-2027 SRC Deadline – Safety Check 2027 Quality Screening Deadlines 2027 Application (Tab 8) & Payment Deadline 2027 zFairs Deadlines 2027 GSDSEF Fair Week Dates 2026-27 Participation Process Overview See specific dates below for the following three general stages of participation: August 2026 - January 2027 : Go through SRC Review (Scientific Review Committee – Safety Check), Work on Project, and go through Quality Screening February 2027 : After passing Quality Screening: complete application and payment in order to be accepted into the Fair March 2027 : After being accepted into the Fair: participate in Fair Week, including project setup, judging, awards ceremony, and project pickup For details, go to: How to Participate Student Account Creation Deadline December 7, 2026, 11:59pm – Last day to create a student account 2026-2027 SRC Deadline – Safety Check December 9, 2026, 11:59pm – Last day to submit SRC (Scientific Review Committee) information for safety approval. All projects must comply with the GSDSEF and ISEF Rules & Regulations . The window to submit SRC information is August 1 - December 9, 2026 . The earlier you get your project proposal approved through SRC, the earlier you can start on your project. All projects (including re-submissions) must have SRC safety approval by December 14, 2026 , in order to move on. 2027 Quality Screening Deadlines Once a project is completed, it must pass Quality Screening before it can be accepted into the GSDSEF. Quality Screening requires your timely submission of Digital Presentation slides that follow the GSDSEF template. You are strongly encouraged to submit your Digital Presentation earlier than the deadline for your school grade : January 15, 2027 – 6th and 7th grade Digital Presentation submissions due January 22, 2027 – 8th grade Digital Presentation submissions due February 1, 2027 – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade Digital Presentation submissions due Digital Presentation submissions may be returned to a student for necessary corrections or clarifications in order to meet GSDSEF Quality standards. After making any required corrections or clarifications, the student must resubmit their Digital Presentation for final Quality Screening. February 12, 2027, 11:59pm – all Digital Presentation resubmissions due (ONLY required if your initial Quality Screening result was "Needs Modifications") NOTE: AFTER FEBRUARY 12TH, ANY PROJECT THAT STILL REQUIRES A DIGITAL PRESENTATION SUBMISSION OR RESUBMISSION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO THE GSDSEF, BECAUSE IT HAS NOT PASSED QUALITY SCREENING 2027 Application (Tab 8) & Payment Deadline February 19, 2027, 11:59pm – all GSDSEF Applications and Payments are due NOTE: AFTER FEBRUARY 19, ANY PROJECT WITHOUT A COMPLETED APPLICATION AND PAYMENT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO THE GSDSEF (FOR TEAM PROJECTS, THE APPLICATION AND PAYMENT MUST BE COMPLETED BY BOTH STUDENTS BEFORE THIS DEADLINE) 2027 zFairs Deadlines zFairs is a separate website from the one used above during project registration, SRC safety approval, Quality Screening, Application, and Payment. Each project accepted into the GSDSEF is required to upload project information into zFairs, so that: GSDSEF staff can assign projects to judging teams judges can preview your project prior to the Fair students can self-nominate their project for Special Awards February 22, 2027 – Students whose projects have been accepted into the Fair will receive an email from zFairs with their account information, so they can log in, complete their zFairs profile, and upload PDFs of their Notebook and Digital Presentation ( same slides that were submitted previously for Quality Screening ). These two PDFs must be uploaded for all projects . February 26, 2027, 11:59pm – all zFairs account profile completions, Digital Presentation PDF uploads, and Notebook PDF uploads due. You are strongly encouraged to complete your zFairs uploads earlier than this deadline. 2027 GSDSEF Fair Week Dates March 8-14, 2027, at the Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC) Monday, March 8, 2027 10am-5pm – Fair Setup Tuesday, March 9, 2027 8am-1pm – Fair Setup 1-7pm – Student project setup at the BPAC – Bring your Backboard Display , Notebook , any display items , and a chair . All display items must be safety screened and approved in order for the items to be displayed. Before you leave, be sure to pick up your exhibitor badge . Note: after approval, valuable items such as laptops may be brought home, but remember to bring them with you again the next morning! Wednesday, March 10, 2027 7:15-8:00am – Student dropoff at the BPAC Bring your badge, a lunch, and a chair if not already brought! 8:00-11:30am – Category Awards Judging 11:30am-12:00pm – Student Lunch 11:45am-2:00pm – Special Awards Judging 12:30-3:00pm – Grand Awards Judging 3:00-3:30pm – Student pickup Thursday, March 11, 2027 BPAC Closed 6:30-9:00pm – 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; attendees are encouraged to check traffic in Apple/Google Maps etc to choose the best exit off Highway 8, as there are multiple options) Friday, March 12, 2027 BPAC closed to the public. Open for student tours 10am-2pm. Reservation information will be sent out to teachers/advisors. Saturday, March 13, 2027 10am-1pm – BPAC open to public to view projects. 1-3pm – Project pickup Sunday, March 14, 2027 10am-1pm – Project pickup – all projects remaining after 1pm will be disposed of 1-6pm – BPAC Cleanup

Board of Directors Dr. Earl Williams, BOD President – Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific Mr. Sany Zakharia, BOD Treasurer/Fundraiser – Qualcomm Mr. Sam Ferguson, BOD Recorder – Lockheed Martin Ms. Vickie Driver – Zim Biosciences (retired) Dr. Donna Kritz-Silverstein – UCSD Ms. Sejal Pabari – The Classical Academies Ms. Jessica Ullyott – Educator Management Committee Steve Rodecker, Fair Executive Director Sany Zakharia, GSDSEF Treasurer/Fundraiser Officers *Board Members Emeritus* Phil Gay Wendy Gay Student Leadership Board Management Committee Member Arnav Dagar, SLB President Board of Directors Meeting Dates TBD Liaisons Mrs. Shirley Miranda, San Diego City Schools, Liaison to the California Science and Engineering Fair Mr. John Spiegel, San Diego County Office of Education Liaison The Management Committee is a group of volunteers who give their time and expertise to coordinate and produce the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair. Fair Executive Director (including Management Comittee oversight) Mr. Stephen Rodecker Ms. Vickie Driver (Deputy FED, and incoming FED as of July 2026) Board of Directors Dr. Earl Williams, BOD President – Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific Mr. Sany Zakharia, BOD Treasurer/Fundraiser – Qualcomm Mr. Sam Ferguson, BOD Recorder – Lockheed Martin Ms. Vickie Driver – Zim Biosciences (retired) Dr. Donna Kritz-Silverstein – UCSD Ms. Sejal Pabari – The Classical Academies Ms. Jessica Ullyott – Educator Management Committee

Latest News The 75th California Science and Engineering Fair Apr 12, 2026 Read More The 72nd Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Mar 18, 2026 Read More The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair May 16, 2025 Read More The 71st Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Mar 12, 2025 Read More

Past Results GSDSEF Directories, Awards, and Awards Ceremony Slides by Year 2026 Results - 72nd Annual GSDSEF (under construction) 2025 Results - 71st Annual GSDSEF 2024 Results - 70th Annual GSDSEF 2023 Results - 69th Annual GSDSEF 2022 Results - 68th Annual GSDSEF (under construction)

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

Microbiology The study of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes as well as antimicrobial and antibiotic substances. Subcategories: Antimicrobial and Antibiotics Applied Microbiology Bacteriology Environmental Microbiology Microbial Genetics Virology Other/Multiple Antimicrobials and Antibiotics: Studies involving substances that kill or inhibit the growth of a microorganism. Applied Microbiology: The study of microorganisms having potential applications in human, animal or plant health. Bacteriology: The study of bacteria and bacterial diseases and the microorganisms responsible for causing a disease. This field focuses on ideas spanning a wide range of topics, from identification and characterization of bacteria, all the way to the development of effective vacancies to combat various types of bacteria. Environmental Microbiology: Studies involving microbial interactions and processes within the environment. Air microbiology, soil microbiology and water microbiology as well as the study of biofilms would be included in this subcategory. Microbial Genetics: The study of the genetics of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea and some protozoa and fungi and their chromosomes, plasmids, transposons and phages. Studies can also include gene transfer systems such as transformation, conjugation and transduction. Virology: The study of viruses – submicroscopic, parasitic particles of genetic material contained in a protein coat – and virus-like agents. Research in this subcategory may focus on the development and effectiveness of treatments for viruses, the development and life cycle of a particular virus, or how the immune system recognizes a virus and what stimulates immune responses. Other/Multiple: Studies in Microbiology that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

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 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

SLB About The 2026-2027 GSDSEF Student Leadership Board (SLB) is pleased to provide THREE different opportunities - WORKSHOPS, a MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, and STEM Bootcamps – for middle school and high school students in San Diego and Imperial Counties – to develop and produce successful science, engineering, math, and/or computer science projects for entrance into the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair (GSDSEF).

2023 Results - 69th Annual GSDSEF Awards totaling over 9 million dollars were announced at the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) on May 18 and 19 in Dallas, Texas. Competing against over 1600 of the world's best young scientists and engineers from 64 countries and nearly all 50 states and territories, 7 projects from the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) garnered a total of 11 awards - 5 Grand Awards and 6 Special Awards. Next Previous

Information How to Participate Overview of GSDSEF Participation Steps (last updated 7/12/2026) For an exact timeline with deadlines, see the 2026-2027 GSDSEF Schedule . The window to turn in SRC information (Steps 1-8 below) is August 1 - December 7, 2026 . The earlier you get approved through SRC, the earlier you can start… For details, log into your student account (step #3 below) and click on the appropriate pages in the left hand column. A video is available to explain the GSDSEF Student Account and SRC Process What Where Window for Completion 1. Read GSDSEF/ISEF Rules and Ethics Statements GSDSEF, ISEF Rules and the Ethics Statement August 1 - December 7 2. Decide on a Project What makes a good STEM Fair project August 1 - December 7 3. Teacher creates an account (unless previously created) . THEN, Student creates an account (unless previously created), or logs in to their existing account (see the explainer video !) Teacher registration page (or, Teacher login page if they already have an account) Student registration page (or, Student login page if you already have an account) August 1 - December 7 4. Fill in SRC (Scientific Review Committee) information Tab 1 - Project Setup Tab 2 - Project Details August 1 - December 7 5. Determine whether your project needs additional safety (ISEF) Forms Tab 3 - Forms Helper August 1 - December 7 6. Submit Scientific/Safety Review Committee (SRC) online form and any necessary ISEF forms/approvals Tab 4 - SRC Safety Form and any necessary ISEF Forms Upload August 1 - December 7 7. Student, Parent, and Teacher fill in and sign Information and Consent Tab 5 - Consent and Policies August 1 - December 7 8. Submit your Project information for SRC approval. ALL projects must go through SRC Review AND BE APPROVED BEFORE STARTING. You will receive an email indicating SRC Safety Approval, or else items that you must revise and then resubmit before this deadline. August 1 - December 7 9. After completing your project -- undergo Quality Screening of your Digital Presentation. Download the Digital Presentation Template, complete, and upload. Tab 6 - Digital Presentation Upload. You will receive an email indicating Quality Screening Approval, or else items that you must revise and then resubmit before this deadline. January-February 2027 (See Schedule for exact dates) 10. After Quality Screening Approval - Copy & paste information into the Abstract. Tab 7 - Abstract January-February 2027 (See Schedule for exact dates) 11. Payment - Review all previous information. Credit cards or school Purchase Orders only. Tab 8 - Payment January-February 2027 (See Schedule for exact dates) 12. zFairs account set up for you. Upload PDF versions of a) your final Digital Presentation (from step 9 above) and b) your Digital Notebook, for Judge’s Preview. zFairs- Students whose projects have completed all steps above on time will receive an email from zFairs with login information and instructions. February 2027 (See Schedule for exact dates)

Teachers Get Your Students Involved How to get your students competing in the GSDSEF: How do I get my students involved? Abbreviated Timeline Advisor Responsibilities Teachers, do you have 6-12 grade students who: • are interested in science, technology, engineering, and/or math? • are curious and like to think outside the box? • enjoy building or creating things? • like challenges and want to come up with solutions to problems? • want to make a difference in the future? If so, participating in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair is for your students! The GSDSEF promotes experimentation, creativity, and discovery…. Students benefit by: • incorporating many disciplines including reading, writing, tech, mathematics, art and design. • using logic, data, reason, rationale, and critical thinking to formulate conclusions. • earning awards, scholarships, and trips. • defending their research to judges, increasing their communication skills. • completing a STEM portfolio of their skills in a project. • getting a sense of pride by completing a long term, open-ended project with perseverance In the competitive world of college applications, participation in the GSDSEF is a great plus because it proves that the student can set goals and complete a long-term project that distinguishes him/her from other students. The benefits for your students are well worth your time! How do I get my students involved? There are many different ways to get your students involved with STEM research: Research projects can be done: • as a required part of a class grade • as extra credit beyond the regular class grade • in a research class with separate credit • through clubs • in labs with mentors • at home independently Abbreviated Timeline: For a detailed schedule/calendar go to: Schedule For a detailed Participation Process go to: How to Participate August- September: An early start is crucial…. Students · select projects · make GSDSEF accounts · go through Safety Review (SRC= Scientific Review Committee) September- January: • Students work on projects January-February: Students · complete projects · go through Quality Screening February: Students · Finish Participation Process with Abstracts and Payment · Make zFairs accounts · Upload Digital Presentations and Notebooks to zFairs · Begin work on physical notebooks and display backboard March: Students · Prepare for Judging Day · Set up Projects at the Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC) · Present Projects on Judging Day · Attend Awards Ceremony · Take down projects Are you interested in becoming an Advisor? Advisor Responsibilities An Advisor can be a teacher or an adult who is knowledgeable in STEM. Advisors typically help students: · select projects · follow timelines to benchmark progress—an early start is crucial · understand the GSDSEF online participation process · make GSDSEF accounts –after YOU have made your account. · work through the Scientific Review Process--- Which ISEF forms do they need? · review their project progress based on the timeline · by offering advice to improve their projects · with the Quality Review process · with the Digital Presentation, Notebook, and zFairs uploads · practice for Judging Day Ready to become an Advisor for GSDSEF Projects? Simply click on Create Account under the teacher picture. From then on, click on LOGIN to see your teacher dashboard with all of your students’ projects listed. We congratulate and welcome all GSDSEF advisors! We appreciate the great job you do!!

Engineering: Energy, Materials, & Transport a) Engineering: Energy Studies/processes involving the production and/or storage of energy. Subcategories : Biological Process and Design Solar Process, Materials, and Design Energy Storage Wind and Water Movement Power Generation Hydrogen Generation and Storage Thermal Generation and Design Triboelectricity and Electrolysis Other Biological Process and Design: Studies involving using biological processes to produce sources of energy such as in microbial fuel cells, algae, biomass, fossil fuels and waste. Solar Process, Materials, and Design: The study and design of photovoltaics, including components such as collectors, concentrators, photoconductor composition and spectral sensitizers. Energy Storage: The study of battery and storage cell composition and design. Wind and Water Movement Power Generation: The application of engineering principles and design concepts involving processes to generate power from fluid flow, including turbines design, angle of attack and surface optimization. Hydrogen Generation and Storage: The application of engineering principles and design concepts involving hydrogen production, optimization, and storage for energy production. Thermal Generation and Design: Studies of generation of power from geothermal and other thermal sources, design, and processes. Triboelectricity and Electrolysis: Studies involving the generation of electricity from a static charge, electrolysis reaction and charged particles. Other/Multiple: Studies in Engineering: Energy, Materials, and Transport that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. b) Engineering: Materials The study of the integration of various materials forms in systems, devices, and components that rely on their unique and specific properties. It involves their synthesis and processing in the form of nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanolayered structures, to coatings and laminates, to bulk monolithic, single-/poly-crystalline, glassy, soft/hard solid, composite, and cellular structures. It also involves measurements of various properties and characterization of the structure across length scales, in addition to multi-scale modeling and computations for process-structure and structure-property correlations. Subcategories: Biomaterials Ceramic and Glasses Composite Materials Computation and Theory Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Materials Nanomaterials Polymers Other/Multiple Biomaterials: Studies involving any matter, surface, or construct that interacts with biological systems. Such materials are often used and/or adapted for a medical application, and thus comprise whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device which performs, augments, or replaces a natural function. Ceramic and Glasses: Studies involving materials composed of ceramic and glass – often defined as all solid materials except metals and their alloys that are made by the high-temperature processing of inorganic raw materials. Composite Materials: Studies that integrate multiple materials such as ceramics, fiber, metals or polymers to create a superior and unique material. Computation and Theory: Studies that develop and apply theoretical methods and/or use computer modeling to design new materials, predict material behavior under differing environmental conditions, understand energy transfer, etc. Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials: The study and development of materials used to form highly complex systems, such as integrated electronic circuits, optoelectronic devices, and magnetic and optical mass storage media. The various materials, with precisely controlled properties, perform numerous functions, including the acquisition, processing, transmission, storage, and display of information. Nanomaterials: The study and development of nanoscale materials; materials with structural features (particle size or grain size, for example) of at least one dimension in the range 1-100 nm. Polymers: The study and development of polymers; materials that have a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins. Other/Multiple: Studies in Engineering: Energy, Materials, and Transport that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. c) Engineering: Transport Studies that focus on the science and engineering that involve movement or structure. The movement can be by the apparatus or the movement can affect the apparatus. Subcategories: Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering Civil Engineering Control Theory Ground Vehicle Systems Naval Systems Other/Multiple Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Studies involving the design of aircraft and space vehicles and the direction of the technical phases of their manufacture and operation. Civil Engineering: Studies that involve the planning, designing, construction, and maintenance of structures and public works, such as bridges or dams, roads, water supply, sewer, flood control and, traffic. Control Theory: The study of dynamical systems, including controllers, systems, and sensors that are influenced by inputs. Ground Vehicle Systems: The design of ground vehicles and the direction of the technical phases of their manufacture and operation. Naval Systems: Studies of the design of ships and the direction of the technical phases of their manufacture and operation. Other/Multiple: Studies in Engineering: Energy, Materials, and Transport that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category