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Animal Sciences This category includes all aspects of animals and animal life, animal life cycles, and animal interactions with one another or with their environment. Examples of investigations included in this category would involve the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals, animal ecology, animal husbandry, entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, and herpetology, as well as the study of animals at the cellular and molecular level which would include cytology, histology, and cellular physiology. Subcategories: Animal Behavior Cellular Studies Development Ecology Genetics Nutrition and Growth Physiology Systematics and Evolution Other/Multiple Subcategories Animal Behavior : The study of animal activities which includes investigating animal interactions within and between species or an animal’s response to environmental factors. Examples are animal communication, learning, and intelligence, rhythmic functions, sensory preferences, pheromones, and environmental effects on behaviors, both naturally and experimentally induced. Cellular Studies: The study of animal cells involving the use of microscopy to study cell structure and studies investigating activity within cells such as enzyme pathways, cellular biochemistry, and synthesis pathways for DNA, RNA, and protein. Development: The study of an organism from the time of fertilization through birth or hatching and into later life. This includes cellular and molecular aspects of fertilization, development, regeneration, and environmental effects on development. Ecology: The study of interactions and behavioral relationships among animals, and animals and plants, with their environment and with one another. Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms. These projects include studies of heredity, dealing with resemblances and differences of related organisms resulting from the interaction of their genes and the environment. Studies may include projects relating to gene expression, gene regulation, genomics, and model organisms. Nutrition and Growth: The study of natural, artificial, or maternal nutrients on animal growth, development, and reproduction including the use and effects of biological and chemical control agents to control reproduction and population numbers. Physiology: The study of one of the 11 animal systems. This includes structural and functional studies, system mechanics, and the effect of environmental factors or natural variations on the structure or function of a system. Similar studies conducted specifically at the cellular level should select the cellular studies subcategory. Systematics and Evolution: The study of animal classification and phylogenetic methods including the evolutionary relationships between species and populations. This includes morphological, biochemical, genetic, and modeled systems to describe the relationship of animals to one another. Other/Multiple: Studies in Animal Science that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

Information Student Resources RESOURCES FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE, OR MATHEMATICS PROJECT PREPARING FOR JUDGING: This PDF contains information for the Size and Safety requirements, the Do's and Dont's of putting together your project display board, what is allowed and not allowed with or on your display board, and sample board layouts. The following resources will also provide you with valuable information to help you decide which type of project you would like to do and how to have a successful project. Section A: Deciding on what Type of Project: Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Computer Science Section B: Getting Project Ideas/Designing a Unique Project Section C: Deciding Which Forms are Needed Before Starting a Project Section D: Resources on How to Design and Conduct a Science or Engineering Project Section E: Resources for Background Research/Articles Section F: Publishing Your Project in Scientific Journals Section A: Deciding on what type of Project: Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Computer Science Look at the Student Guides to differentiate between Science Research and Non-Inquiry based Research. Some areas of research are based on the scientific method, but since engineers, inventors, and computer programmers have different objectives than those of other scientists, they follow a different process. What makes a Good STEM Research Project .pdf Download PDF • 68KB Comparing_the_scientific_method_to_the_engineering_design_method .pdf Download PDF • 680KB Engineering_project_guidelines .pdf Download PDF • 210KB Computer_science_project_guidelines .pdf Download PDF • 328KB Math_project_guidelines .pdf Download PDF • 213KB VIDEO LINK: Comparing Science and Engineering Projects - GSDSEF video series Section B: Getting Project Ideas If you aren’t sure what kind of project you would like to work on, there are several sites that can help with ideas…HOWEVER… YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THE PROJECT UNIQUE AND YOUR OWN! Whatever you come up with, “Google” it to make sure it is not a “been there-done that” project. Remember, even one change you make to an existing procedure/protocol makes it your own! Links to other successful project ideas...Again, these projects are NOT to be repeated or copied!!! They are to give you some ideas... General Science or Engineering: Science Buddies can help. Answer a short questionnaire about your interests and hobbies and it will use your responses to recommend ideas you will enjoy: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas Environmental Inquiry Project Ideas: https://gradcoach.com/research-topics-environmental-sciences/ Geology Project Ideas: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/science-fair-project-ideas Math Project Ideas: https://cms.math.ca/Education/mpsf/ You can also check out the Society for Science Database to see award-winning projects at the International Science and Engineering Fair to get ideas for a project. https://abstracts.societyforscience.org/ The California State Science Fairs has abstracts from winning projects from all over the state of California. - Pick a year and then click on "Projects organized by category". Browse the categories & open what interests you. Look through the project titles that are "hot linked". Read the abstract. It may spark an idea for a new investigation that is uniquely your own. Whatever idea you come up with for your project, be sure to Google it to be sure it is unique. https://csef.usc.edu/History/ This site, UCRiverside Chemical Engineering Fun for Kids , is a springboard for ideas in Chemical Engineering. It also has fun activities you can try out. https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/chemical-engineering-fun-kids/ If you are interested in electrical projects, this site has background information, activities, and links to help you think of your own project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-projects/electricity-electronics This website, Best Kid Stuff: Kid’s Online Learning Tools for Science, Technology, and Beyond connects you to other sites for science fair project ideas and resources, as well as coding and programming resources for all ages: https://www.bestkidstuff.com/stem/online-learning-tools-science-tech/ Consider these questions as you come up with a project idea: Is my project unique in at least one aspect, or has it been done before exactly? Is my project an experiment/investigation or is it a demonstration of principle? Is the answer to my question already known? Will my investigation add something new to what is known about the topic? How much time will it take to conduct my research? Will I be able to meet all of the deadlines? Will it look like I did it in one day? Are my results measurable (using the metric system) or is it only based on observation? projects_to_avoid .pdf Download PDF • 60KB VIDEO LINK: Projects to Avoid - GSDSEF video series Tutorials on how to make a project your own: Tutorial_on_adapting_project_ideas .pdf Download PDF • 100KB Strategies for an Original Science Fair Project from Scientific American Section C: Deciding on What Forms Are Required You’ve decided on a project but you’re not sure if Additional ISEF Forms need to be completed before beginning. All projects requiring Additional ISEF Forms must be reviewed and approved by the GSDSEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC) BEFORE STARTING with experimentation. Please find all the necessary ISEF forms on your student account . Your teacher/advisor can help you with the SRC pre-approval and make sure you have any necessary forms completed. If you have questions or are unsure concerning a project's acceptability, please have your teacher/advisor contact the Scientific Review Committee Rose Armour at rose.armour@gsdsef.org . Note: due to geographic regions and state/local rules, GSDSEF reserves the right to prohibit projects that use dangerous items that may be considered acceptable in ISEF. Section D: Resources on Conducting a Successful Science or Engineering Project Do you need help with the scientific method or following the Engineering principles to design and work on your project? The following resources will help you with the information on working through your project. UPDATED 2020 : Use the GSDSEF Sample Student Notebook as a template to produce a quality science fair notebook. The sample notebook contains a description, directions, and example for each section. It also includes a checklist and timeline to ensure each section is completed in a timely manner. Sample Student Notebook .pdf Download PDF • 559KB Science-fair-vocabulary .pdf Download PDF • 175KB gsef-student-guide-how-to-do-a-science-fair-project .pdf Download PDF • 1.30MB Using the Scientific Method - Science Buddies Using the Engineering Method - Science Buddies How to do a Science Fair Project video series from JPL/NASA Research at Home Resources by Society for Science & the Public (ISEF) Keeping a Logbook (Janice VanCleave) How to do an Engineering Project - GSDSEF video series Projects need to use SI (International System of Units: metric measurements, ampere, kelvin, etc.) and data tables/charts and graphs need to be clearly labeled. The following resources will help you with conversions and in creating charts/tables and graphs using Excel spreadsheets: Metric Conversion Calculator Metric Conversion Calculator Convert Me: Basic, Engineering, and Computer Conversions Creating charts in excel .pdf Download PDF • 641KB Creating_bar_graphs .pdf Download PDF • 357KB Creating_line_bar_graphs .pdf Download PDF • 309KB Graphing Tutorial website How to Write an Abstract: How-to-write-an-abstract .pdf Download PDF • 11KB Tips_on_writing_a_project_abstract .pdf Download PDF • 73KB How to Write an Intel ISEF Abstract Writing Abstracts (from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) Backboard Display Info and Examples: GSDSEF DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS .pdf Download PDF • 182KB Science Fair Display Sample .pdf Download PDF • 275KB Engineering Display Sample .pdf Download PDF • 271KB What are Judges Looking for in the Projects: Judging_standards .pdf Download PDF • 93KB Helpful_hints_to_prepare_for_judging .pdf Download PDF • 97KB See also Guidelines for Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics Projects in Section A for specific criteria. How to Answer the 5 Most Common Questions Science Fair Judges Ask (Scientific American blog) Section E: Resources for Background Research/Articles Do you need information on specific topics for your project. The sites below has a library of articles that can be used for background research or just to learn more about science, math, and/or technology: (Don't forget to cite your sources in your project!) A Kid's Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Resource submitted by E. Williams and Amelia Science Resources Math Resources A Beginner's Glossary of Coding and Programming Terms plus Additional Resources Resource submitted by A. Pruitt and Avery Computer Science Resources Science News for Students Science Daily – Your source for latest research Resources from NASA US Geological Survey - Research US Geological Survey - Earthquakes for Kids Science Now Smithsonian - Science/Nature Info Please Neuroscience for Kids Activities, Games, and Resources Tinkering, Simple Electronics, Simple Machines, Engineering, and Coding Engineering Games and Activities - Includes descriptions of Engineering fields (added September 2022) Free STEM Activities and Resources for Kids Try Engineering - Learn about the different Engineering fields. This site includes resources, games, activities, lesson plans for teachers, and more Section F: Publishing Your Project in Scientific Journals PUBLISH YOUR RESEARCH: The National High School Journal of Science Journal of Emerging Investigators The Journal of Experimental Secondary Science Young Scientists Journal Journal of Youth in Science (JOURNYS) Wokshops presented by the Student Leadership Board (SLB) are available to help you through the process. Sign up for one of these invaluable workshops, or if you were unable to attend, check out their powerpoint presentations.

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

Information How to Participate: Quick Overview Quick Overview of GSDSEF Participation Steps (and suggested timeline) Detailed information can be gotten by logging into your student account and clicking on to the appropriate pages on the left hand column. You can also see this video on the GSDSEF Student Account and SRC Process What Where Completion Date 1. Read GSDSEF/ISEF Rules and Ethics Statements GSDSEF, ISEF Rules and the Ethics Statement September 2. Decide on a Project What makes a good STEM Fair project September-October 3. Teacher makes an account. THEN, Student makes an account Teacher registration page Student Registration page September 4. Fill in SRC (Scientific Review Committee) information Tab 1- Project Setup Tab 2- Project Details September-October 5. Determine whether your project needs additional safety (ISEF) Forms Tab 3- Forms Helper September-October 6. Submit Scientific/Safety Review Committee (SRC) online form and any necessary ISEF forms/approvals Tab 4- SRC Safety Form and ISEF Forms Upload (if necessary) September-November 7. Student, Parent, Teacher fill in and sign Information and Consent Tab 5- Consent and Policies September-November 8. After SRC approval, start on your project. ALL projects must go through SRC Review AND BE APPROVED BEFORE STARTING. You will receive an email indicating SRC Safety Approval. September- December 9. After completing your project -- Quality Screening with Digital Presentation. Download the Digital Presentation Template; complete and upload. Tab 6- Digital Presentation Upload. You will receive an email indicating Quality Screening Approval. January 10. After Screening Approval - Copy paste information into the Abstract. Tab 7- Abstract January-February 11. Payment - Review all previous information. Credit cards or school Purchase Orders only. Tab 8- Payment January- February 12. zFairs account set up for you. Upload your Digital Presentation and Digital Notebook for Judge’s Preview zFairs- February

The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair 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. 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. 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, led by GSDSEF Board Member, Treasurer and Judging Captain, Sany Zakharia. These finalists competed for $9m in awards, with the GSDSEF delegation winning a total of 7 awards, including 2nd place, 3rd place and two 4th places, for a total of $46,800. Detailed results below: Behavioral and Social Sciences: Hannah Im & Nupur Bhalla, Grade 11, Del Norte High School, "Optimizing Academic Burnout Mitigation: Statistical Modeling of Emotional Intelligence as a Protective Factor in Adolescents" - ISEF Finalist Biomedical and Health Sciences: Saanvi Dogra, Grade 11, Del Norte High School, "Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms for Treatment of Congenital Heart Defects through High-Content Genetic Perturbation Screens" - Grand Award: Fourth Award of $600 Anirudh Kalyanaraman, Grade 12, Mt. Carmel High School, "A Novel Treatment Approach to Mitigate Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Burn Pit Exposure” - ISEF Finalist Lilian Zeng, Grade 11, Del Norte High School, "Identifying Bacteriophages, Nature's Own Secret Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, for Achromobacter Treatment” - ISEF Finalist Biomedical Engineering: Kayley Xu, Grade 10, The Bishop's School, “Wearable Stethoscope Array for Cardiopulmonary Sound Localization and Interference Suppression Using Beamforming”. - Grand Award: Second Award of $2,400 - Special Award: Society for Science Alumni Award of $5k Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Tarik Oguz, Grade 11, Del Norte High School, "Small Changes, Big Impact: miRNAs in Lung Cancer Detection" - Grand Award: Fourth Award of $600 Physics and Astronomy: Joe Smith, Grade 12, Stanford Online High School, “Lost in the Stars: Chemical Tagging of the Magellanic Clouds and Accreted Populations” - Grand Award: Third Award of $1,200 Plant Sciences: Anna Luo, Grade 11, Canyon Crest Academy, "Allelopathic Effects of Cynara cardunculus on Native Coastal Sage Scrub Species" - Special Award: The New American University ISEF Scholarship of $32k Robotics and Intelligent Machines: Ryan Rezaei, Grade 11, Canyon Crest Academy, “Symmetry-Preserving Variational Autoencoder and Latent Space Rectified Flow Diffusion for Accelerated Materials Discovery With Geometric Graph Neural Networks and Integrated Property Network Multi-Layer Perceptron" - Special Award: Midjourney of $5K We are extremely proud of all our ISEF finalists, congratulations! Read our press release.

History of the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair (an excerpt of a "Report on the Greater San Diego Science Fair" written by Paul A. Terry, Executive Director, Greater San Diego Science Fair, 1962) A group of San Diego scientists and educators met in the spring of 1954 to discuss the possibility of having a Science Fair in San Diego. Representatives of The San Diego Union shared the enthusiasm of this group for the benefits of such a fair. The purpose of the Fair is to encourage the scientific and technical interests of young people. The Fair stimulates students to actively apply their scientific talents. Community recognition and the opportunity for exposure to scientists and scientific installations are provided in order to encourage talented youths to enter scientific careers. The San Diego Union agreed to act as a sponsor and to provide for sending of the two sweepstakes winners to the National Science Fair each year. Incident to sponsorship of the Fair, The San Diego Union entered into a promotional agreement with the National Science Fair, Washington, D.C. Accordingly, the Greater San Diego Science Fair affiliated with the National Science Fair of Science Service. The affiliating agreement provided for an executive secretary and general chairman, and the basic administration of the Fair. The first Greater San Diego Science Fair was held in 1955 at the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences on Harbor Boulevard. Space considerations limited the Fair to 53 exhibits, which were selected from a total of 100 science projects. The possibility of entering an exhibit in the Fair was, as it is now, extended to any student in grades 7 through 12 in a public, private or parochial school in San Diego County. Entrants from grades 7 through 9 compose the junior division, and entrants from grades 10 through 12 compose the senior division. Explore Learn More The San Diego Union agreed to act as a sponsor and to provide for sending of the two sweepstakes winners to the National Science Fair each year. Incident to sponsorship of the Fair, The San Diego Union entered into a promotional agreement with the National Science Fair, Washington, D.C. Accordingly, the Greater San Diego Science Fair affiliated with the National Science Fair of Science Service. The affiliating agreement provided for an executive secretary and general chairman, and the basic administration of the Fair. Learn More Title Goes Here. By 1956, interest in the Fair had grown to such proportions that it was decided to move the Fair to the Conference Building at Balboa Park. That year 194 projects were selected from some 750 projects viewed at 15 local and school fairs. Ten industrial, educational and military facilities offered guided tours and briefings to the students... These tours and briefings contribute to the concrete knowledge of the student, as well as providing him with an opportunity to meet scientists at work... In 1957, the Science Fair was again held in the Conference Building. The Fair had grown to 238 exhibits, which were selected from 1,200 projects... The 1959 Fair had grown to 250 exhibits, which created such a parking problem near the Conference Building that the Fair was moved in 1960 to the Federal Building in Balboa Park, where it has remained." By 1961, the Greater San Diego Science "Fair was not only as large as the National Science Fair, but of comparable quality... The boy and girl sweepstakes winners placed first and fourth at the National Science Fair-International held that year in Kansas City... Also in 1961, professional societies provided awards and "the Screening Committee was now becoming active." 324 entrants "were selected from approximately 3,000 exhibits screened at many local and school fairs." Explore

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

Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical & Robotics a) Engineering: Electrical Studies involving electrical systems in which information is conveyed via signals and waveforms for purposes of enhancing communications, control and/or sensing. Subcategories: Circuits Internet of Things Microcontrollers Networking and Data Communications Optics and Photonics Sensors Signal Processing Other/Multiple Circuits: The study, analysis, and design of electronic circuits and their components, including testing. Internet of Things: The inter-networking of physical devices embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity to enable objects to collect/exchange data and/or provide control. Such devices are to be connected with the internet and/or the cloud. Microcontrollers: The study and engineering of microcontrollers and their use to control other devices. Networking and Data Communications: The study of systems that transmit any combination of voice, video, and/or data among users. Optics and Photonics: The use of visible or infrared light instead of signals sent over wires. The study and development of optical devices and systems devoted to practical applications (e.g. photonics) such as computation. Sensors: The study and design of devices that transmit an electrical response to an external device. Signal Processing: The extraction of signals from noise and their conversion into a representation for modeling and analysis. Other/Multiple: Studies in Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. b) Engineering: Mechanical 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: Computational Mechanics Industrial Engineering-Processing Mechanical Engineering Computational Mechanics: A study that applies the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics to solve large and complex problems in Engineering Mechanics. Industrial Engineering-Processing: Studies of efficient production of industrial goods as affected by elements such as plant and procedural design, the management of materials and energy, and the integration of workers within the overall system. The industrial engineer designs methods, not machinery. Mechanical Engineering: Studies that involve the generation and application of heat and mechanical power and the design, production, and use of machines and tools. Other/Multiple: Studies in Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. c) Robotics Studies in which the use of machine intelligence is paramount to reducing the reliance on human intervention. Subcategories: Biomechanics Cognitive Systems Control Theory Machine Learning Robot Kinematics Other/Multiple Biomechanics: Studies and apparatus which mimic the kinematic role of mechanics in biological systems. Cognitive Systems: Studies/apparatus that operate similarly to the ways humans think and process information. Systems that provide for increased interaction of people and machines to more naturally extend and magnify human expertise, activity, and cognition. Control Theory: Studies that explore the behavior of dynamical systems with inputs, and how their behavior is modified by feedback. This includes new theoretical results and the applications of new and established control methods, system modelling, identification and simulation, the analysis and design of control systems (including computer-aided design), and practical implementation. Machine Learning: Construction and/or study of algorithms that can learn from data involving a robot/machine. Robot Kinematics: The study of movement in robotic systems. Other/Multiple: Studies in Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

2022 - 69th Annual San Diego Science and Engineering Fair long description coming soon Next Previous

Cellular & Molecular Biology This is an interdisciplinary field that studies the structure, function, intracellular pathways, and formation of cells. Studies involve understanding life and cellular processes specifically at the molecular level. Subcategories: Cell Physiology Cellular Immunology Genetics Molecular Biology Neurobiology Other/Multiple Cell Physiology: The study of the cell cycle, cell function, and interactions between cells or between cells and their environment. In general, projects could address physiology of membrane transport, neuron transmission, muscle contraction, the digestion of food, circulation of blood, contraction of muscles, or movement and production of nutrients in plant cells. In general, projects could address physiology of membrane transport, neuron transmission, muscle contraction, the digestion of food, circulation of blood, contraction of muscles, or movement and production of nutrients in plant cells. Cellular Immunology: The study of the structure and function of the immune system at the cellular level. This includes investigations of innate and acquired (adaptive) immunity, the cellular communication pathways involved in immunity, cellular recognition and interactions between antigens and antibodies. Genetics: The study of molecular genetics focusing on the structure and function of genes at a molecular level, genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living cells. These projects explore the consequences of genome variation on human cell biology, and thus gene function in health and disease. Furthermore, projects may study the impact of naturally-occurring and engineered genome mutations in human iPS cells, their differentiated derivatives, and other cell types. Molecular Biology: The study of biology at the molecular level. Chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interrelationships of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and learning how these interactions are regulated, such as during transcription and translation, the significance of introns and exons or coding issues. Neurobiology: The study of the structure and function of the nervous system at the cellular or molecular level. This area focuses on the study of cells of the nervous system and the organization of these cells into functional circuits that process information and mediate behavior. Some neurobiology focuses on the molecular structures of the brain and nervous system. Larger complete systems, like the function and structure of the cerebral cortex, may be studied. Projects can look at biological factors that impact learning or mood, or how early genetic material develops into various areas of the brain. Other/Multiple: Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

SLB About The 2025-26 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).

Earth & Environmental Science a) Earth Sciences Studies of the environment and its effect on organisms/systems, including investigations of biological processes such as growth and life span, as well as studies of Earth systems and their evolution. Subcategories : Atmospheric Science Climate Science Geosciences Water Science Other/Multiple Atmospheric Science: The study of the Earth’s atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the atmosphere on these other systems as well as meteorological investigations. Further investigation in this field relates to atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics, atmospheric changes (both long and short-term) that define average climates and their change over time, and upper layers of the atmosphere, where dissociation and ionization are important. Climate Science: Studies of Earth’s climate, particularly evidential study of climate change over a period of time. This field studies long-term trends in average meteorological conditions and changes in these averaged conditions from season to season, year to year, decade to decade. Geosciences: Studies of Earth’s land processes, including mineralogy, plate tectonics, volcanism, and sedimentology. Water Science: Studies of Earth’s water systems, including water resources, movement, distribution, and water quality. This field includes the occurrence, movement, abundance, distribution, and quality of subsurface waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters. Furthermore, it projects may also address water from the moment of precipitation until it evaporates into the atmosphere or is discharged into the ocean; for example, river systems and the impacts of flooding. Other/Multiple: Studies in Earth Sciences that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. b) Environmental Sciences: Management and Engineering Studies that engineer or develop processes and infrastructure to solve environmental problems in the supply of water, the disposal of waste, or the control of pollution. Subcategories : Bioremediation Environmental Effects on Ecosystems Land Reclamation Pollution Control Recycling and Waste Management Water Resources Management Other/Multiple Bioremediation: The use of biological agents, such as bacteria or plants, to remove or neutralize contaminants. This includes phytoremediation, constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, biodegradation, etc. Environmental Effects on Ecosystems: Studies of the impact of environmental changes (natural or as a result of human interaction) on ecosystems, including empirical pollution studies. Land Reclamation: Studies that apply engineering principles and design techniques to restore land from wetlands, seas, lakes, deserts or mines, through drainage or irrigation to a more productive use or its previous undisturbed state. This subcategory also includes studies involving the restoration of land that is damaged by natural phenomena, such as erosion, or impaired by industrial and urban processes. Pollution Control: Studies that use engineering principles and design to prevent or control air, water and solid waste pollution. Recycling and Waste Management: Studies involving the extraction and reuse of useful substances from discarded items, garbage, or waste. The process of managing, and disposing of, wastes and hazardous substances through methodologies such as landfills, sewage treatment, composting, waste reduction, etc. Water Resources Management: Studies that apply engineering principles and design to the planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources. Studies in this subcategory might include applied surface and groundwater hydrology, forecasting and control of quantity and quality of water or simulation and modeling of water resource systems. Other/Multiple: Studies in Environmental Sciences: Management and Engineering that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category