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).

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

2025 Results - 71st Annual GSDSEF Table of Contents 2025 GSDSEF Directory and Awards Ceremony Program Category Awards Special Awards 2025 GSDSEF Competition Directory and Awards Ceremony Program 2025 - 71st Annual GSDSEF Information and Student Exhibitor Directory (3.8 MB) 2025 - GSDSEF Awards Ceremony Program (2.2MB) Category Awards 2025 - Junior and Senior Division Place Awards by Category (92 KB) Special Awards 2025 - 71st Annual GSDSEF Special Awards by Award Provider (132 KB) Next Previous

The 75th California Science and Engineering Fair The 75th California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) was held on Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, 2026, at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA. Click here for the GSDSEF press release about the 40 CSEF awards earned by GSDSEF students, including several of the top prizes.

Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Studies that primarily focus on the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics as they relate to biological systems. This includes the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavior, and social systems. Subcategories: Computational Biomodeling Computational Epidemiology Computational Evolutionary Biology Computational Neuroscience Computational Pharmacology Genomics Other/Multiple Computational Biomodeling : Studies that involve computer simulations of biological systems most commonly with a goal of understanding how cells or organism develop, work collectively and survive. Computational Epidemiology: The study of disease frequency and distribution, and risk factors and socioeconomic determinants of health within populations. Such studies may include gathering information to confirm existence of disease outbreaks, developing case definitions and analyzing epidemic data, establishing disease surveillance, and implementing methods of disease prevention and control. Computational Evolutionary Biology : A study that applies the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics to explore the processes of change in populations of organisms, especially taxonomy, paleontology, ethology, population genetics and ecology. Computational Neuroscience: A study that applies the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics to understand brain function in terms of the information processing properties of the structures that make up the nervous system. Computational Pharmacology: A study that applies the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics to predict and analyze the responses to drugs. Genomics: The study of the function and structure of genomes using recombinant DNA, sequencing, and bioinformatics. Other/Multiple: Studies in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

Chemistry Studies exploring the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter not involving biochemical systems. Subcategories: Analytical Chemistry Computational Chemistry Environmental Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Materials Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physical Chemistry Other/Multiple Analytical Chemistry: The study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of materials. Computational Chemistry: A study that applies the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics to solve large and complex problems in Chemistry. Environmental Chemistry: The study of chemical species in the natural environment, including the effects of human activities, such as the design of products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Inorganic Chemistry: The study of the properties and reactions of inorganic and organometallic compounds. Materials Chemistry: The chemical study of the design, synthesis and properties of substances, including condensed phases (solids, liquids, polymers) and interfaces, with a useful or potentially useful function, such as catalysis or solar energy. Organic Chemistry: The study of carbon-containing compounds, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Physical Chemistry: The study of the fundamental physical basis of chemical systems and processes, including chemical kinetics, chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, photochemistry, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics and astro-chemistry. Other/Multiple: Studies in Chemistry that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

Information Judging and Awards The GSDSEF has three types of judging with various awards: Categorical Judging – PLACE AWARDS Category Judges decide the GSDSEF’s award placements (first, second, third, and fourth place) in 15+1 different categories, based on scientific merit using specified criteria. Categorical judging takes place in the morning. There are 15 categories in Senior Division and Junior Division has one additional category. GSDSEF Categories and Descriptions All students are given a Certificate of Merit for participating. All students receive a Place Award ribbon on-stage at the Awards Ceremony. Grand Awards Judging – GRAND AWARDS Teams of Grand Awards Judges review projects that have been recommended by the Category Judges for Grand Awards consideration. Grand Awards judging takes place in the afternoon and Grand Awards Judges must be willing to stay until at least 3 p.m. the day of Judging. Four Grand Awards and four Grand Award Runners-up are selected in the Junior Division (6th-8th grade) and receive cash awards and a plaque/trophy. Four Grand Award Runners-Up/Alternates are selected in the Senior Division (9th -12th grade) and each receive a cash award and a plaque. Four Grand Award Winners are selected in the Senior Division. Each receives a college scholarship award, an engraved plaque, and the opportunity to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Special Awards and Judging Over 100 Professional Societies and other organizations provide their own judges and each set their own criteria for awards. Professional Societies/Organizations judge student projects during the afternoon of judging day. GSDSEF Special Award Sponsors and Award Criteria Professional Societies and organizations provide their own awards - ribbons, certificates, or plaques, and/or monetary scholarships. Awards may be left with the GSDSEF for distribution directly to students or the Professional Society may arrange another method to present their awards. Several of the Professional Societies present their awards at their own banquets or board meetings and certain organizations/companies present their Special Awards on stage at the Awards Ceremony. Professional Societies and Organizations Awards list is passed out at the Awards Ceremony and their names are listed on screen before Awards Ceremony begins. SPECIAL AWARDS given by Professional Societies are presented on-stage at the Awards Ceremony. These include the BD Awards, Fred H. Rohr Award, Ronald E. Domb Memorial Award, Mickey Award, Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) Awards, Reuben H. Fleet Awards, San Diego Zoo Global Awards, and Student Leadership Award. Other Special Awards may also be presented on stage. NOTE: Judging Team Projects In judging a team project in comparison to one done by an individual, it is fair to have a higher expectation of the team project regarding the overall level of effort involved in the project. Team projects have greater resources (the number of minds working together) and therefore a greater capacity for more research and data collection, more time, effort, and thought spent on the project, as well as more/in-depth analysis than someone acting alone. This should be evident in the project. There should also be evidence of team collaboration and synergy among team members (which should become evident during the interview process). Who are the Category and Grand Awards Judges? Category judges are scientists, engineers, computer science/technology specialists, professors, and other professionals, whether currently working, or retired. They are community members who are interested in encouraging the young people of San Diego and Imperial Counties to consider a career in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics. Grand Awards judges have 7 or more years of experience in judging science fairs. Awards are announced at the Annual Awards Ceremony. ALL students receive their place awards ribbons on stage culminating with the Grand Awards Winners announcement.

2026 Results - 72nd Annual GSDSEF Table of Contents 2026 GSDSEF Student Directory Category Place Awards Special Awards Advancement to Affiliated Fairs and Competitions Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony Program Awards Ceremony Pictures Awards Ceremony Slides – Category and Grand Awards Grand Award Winners GSDSEF Student Results In Post-GSDSEF Competitions California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF), April 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), May 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovation Challenge (TFSJIC), later 2026 2026 – 72nd GSDSEF Student Directory 2. 2026 GSDSEF Directory_FINAL .pdf Download PDF • 127.99MB 2026 – 72nd GSDSEF Award Results Click here for the GSDSEF summary press release . Category Place Awards Junior Division Place Award Results by Category: 3. Jr. Division Category Awards .pdf Download PDF • 74KB Senior Division Place Award Results by Category: 4. Sr. Division Category Awards .pdf Download PDF • 76KB Special Awards Special Awards List: 5. Special Awards List by Organization .pdf Download PDF • 386KB Special Awards Slide Scroll: 6. Special Awards Slide Scroll .pdf Download PDF • 11.42MB Special Awards — Stage Awards Slides 7. Special Awards Slides - Stage Awards .pdf Download PDF • 950KB Affiliated Fairs – Qualified and Nominated Students California Science and Engineering Fair Qualified Students (JR and SR divisions): 8. CSEF-Qualified Slides .pdf Download PDF • 201KB Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Nominees (JR division): 9. TFSJIC Nominees Slides .pdf Download PDF • 146KB 2026 – 72nd GSDSEF Teacher of the Year Tina Tom – Chula Vista Middle School Over the past seven years, l've mentored approximately 350 students, with 70 of those young scientists ultimately representing Chula Vista Middle School at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, with some going on to the California Science and Engineering Fair. The true power of a science project lies in the fact that students have complete ownership of their work, while teachers like me serve as guides on this rewarding journey. This experience is particularly transformative at our Title I school because it provides exposure to the power of science that many might not otherwise encounter. By mastering the Scientific Method, time management, formal reporting, experimental design, and data analysis, students gain essential life skills that inspire them to pursue STEM at the university level and beyond. 2026 – 72nd GSDSEF Awards Ceremony Program 12. Awards Ceremony Program .pdf Download PDF • 2.39MB Pictures from the 72nd GSDSEF Awards Ceremony Awards Ceremony Slides – Category and Grand Awards 14. JR Div Third Awards .pdf Download PDF • 1.05MB 17. SR Div Third Awards .pdf Download PDF • 1.11MB 15. JR Div Second Awards .pdf Download PDF • 1.23MB 18. SR Div Second Awards .pdf Download PDF • 1.21MB 16. JR Div First Awards .pdf Download PDF • 1.37MB 19. SR Div First Awards .pdf Download PDF • 1.39MB 20. JR+SR Grand Awards .pdf Download PDF • 911KB Grand Award Winners SENIOR DIVISION JUNIOR DIVISION Grand Award Winners: Life Sciences Grand Award Winners: Life Sciences Giles Del Priore and Ronald Wyatt Eastlake High School Advisor: Amanda Williams ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Design and Evaluation of a Behaviorally-Grounded, Caregiver Governed AI Companion for Individuals with Memory Impairment Jonah Figueroa The Rhoades School Advisor: Roxanne Hunker Project Title: Quantifying Effects of Commercial Fertilizers on Cyanobacteria Growth Claire Lim Canyon Crest Academy Advisor: Ed Gerstin ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Inducible TLR4 Decoy for Targeting Microglial Activation to Reduce Neuronal Degeneration in Parkinson’s Disease Uma Kattamuri Oak Valley Middle School Advisor: Kristina Latonia-Wilson Project Title: Elevated CO2 During Kalanchoe pinnata Growth Reveals Enhanced Antiproliferative and Synergistic Therapies Grand Award Winners: Physical Sciences Grand Award Winners: Physical Sciences Kayley Xu The Bishop’s School Advisor: Marcus Milling ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Designing a Passive All-Dielectric Metasurface for Retinal Disease Intervention Through Beam Steering Paul Schnabl The Bishop’s School Advisor: Kelly Kleinertz Project Title: ARGOS: Machine Learning Irrigation Reduced Water Usage and Improved Growth Ethan Hu The Bishop’s School Advisor: Benjamin Heldt ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Configurable Electromagnetic Refreshable Tactile Display with FDM Printable Bistable Cam Aishah Siddiqui Bright Horizon Academy Advisor: Najwan Naserelddin Project Title: Joynt Quest - A Therapeutic Glove Integrated with a Digital Game-Based Rehabilitation System For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Grand Award Runners Up: Life Sciences Grand Award Runners Up: Life Sciences Charles Brum Catholic Cathedral High School Advisor: Jeanette Loptka ISEF FINALIST Project Title: BeeCast: A Novel Predictive Model Using Neural Network to Predict Colony Collapse Shanmei Lee and Maya Goel The Rhoades School Advisor: Roxanne Hunker Project Title: Investigating Regrowth in Coastal Sage Scrub Burned Habitat Janet Yang Canyon Crest Academy Advisor: Xiaohui Liu ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Neuro-Behavioral Convergence: A Multimodal Approach to Stroke Risk Assessment Olivia Liu La Jolla Country Day School Advisor: Chris Uyeda Project Title: Soap, a Friend or Foe of Skin Bacteria? Grand Award Runners Up: Physical Sciences Grand Award Runners Up: Physical Sciences Shounak Ray Chaudhuri Francis Parker School Advisor: J.P. Pierce ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Novel Scalable Multiphase Autonomous Vehicle Systems for Emerging Markets Manas Pisipati The Rhoades School Advisor: Roxanne Hunker Project Title: A Study of the Effects of Salt Nucleation on Doped Amino Acids Ryan Rezaei Canyon Crest Academy Advisor: Albert Dul ISEF FINALIST Project Title: Omni-Prot: Unifying Protein Function Prediction with PLM-Centric Fusion Joie Green Muirlands Middle School Advisor: Lori Trombley Project Title: Soon I will be Invisible: How to Direct Energy with Topological Metamaterials GSDSEF Student Results In Post-GSDSEF Competitions 2026 California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) Only one project in each CSEF Category is awarded a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Award. Each category may have more than one 5 th Award (= Honorable Mention). Students at CSEF can also receive Sponsored Awards and Major Fair Awards. At the 2026 CSEF, 36 GSDSEF projects (37 students) received an Award ( see GSDSEF press release here ): 19 Junior Division projects received a Category Award (4 First, 4 Second, 3 Third, 5 Fourth, and 3 Fifth) 17 Senior Division projects received a Category Award (3 First, 2 Second, 2 Third, 1 Fourth, and 9 Fifth) 3 Sponsored Awards 2 Major Fair Awards CSEF Award Results of GSDSEF Junior Division Students: 21. CSEF GSDSEF Jr Div Winners by Last Name .pdf Download PDF • 230KB CSEF Award Results of GSDSEF Senior Division Students: 22. CSEF GSDSEF Sr Div Winners by Last Name .pdf Download PDF • 217KB CSEF Sponsored Awards Results of GSDSEF Students: 23. CSEF SponsoredAwards_v_2026 .pdf Download PDF • 980KB CSEF Major Fair Awards (SR) and additional TFSJIC nominations (JR): 24. CSEF MajorFairAwards_2026 v2 .pdf Download PDF • 183KB 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) At the 2026 ISEF, six GSDSEF projects received a Category Award in a competition with approximately 1700 other ISEF finalists from around the world: Shounak Ray Chaudhuri, Second Award (Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics) Emma Liu, Third Award (Computational Biology and Bioinformatics) Ethan Hu, Fourth Award (Embedded Systems) Claire Lim, Fourth Award (Cellular and Molecular Biology) Ihan Sung, Fourth Award (Chemistry) Kayley Xu, Fourth Award (Biomedical Engineering) Ihan Sung also won a Second-place Aramco Special Award. Next Previous

SLB SLB Workshops SLB members are eager to share their enthusiasm, experience, and knowledge with you in a series of interactive step-by-step workshops designed to help you produce a successful STEM project. Workshop topics focus on how to participate in the GSDSEF as well as the entire science fair process and the scientific method/engineering principles from start to finish - from coming up with a project idea, to putting together your science notebook, to designing your poster board, and to finally preparing you for judging. Experienced SLB members are also available to work with you on an individual basis - to answer your specific questions based on your own project. For 2026-27, SLB will be hosting most workshops via Zoom. Workshop information will be sent to your teachers. Zoom links to each workshop will be sent to those who RSVP. Workshop Schedule 2026-27 All workshops are scheduled on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30 AM. After a workshop is completed and its recording is ready, click the description to see the Workshop Video. 2026 Sept. 19, 2026 - Workshop #1- Finding an Idea Sept. 26, 2026 - Workshop #2- GSDSEF Student Account and SRC Process video and slides PDF Oct. 10, 2026 - Workshop #3- Using the Scientific Method/Engineering Design Process: Problem to Results Nov. 21, 2026 - Special Workshop (new this year!)- Summer Research Opportunities and Research Publications. [Watch here for updates] Dec. 5, 2026 - Workshop #4A- Basic Data Analysis and Statistics Dec. 12, 2026 - Workshop #4B- Advanced Data Analysis and Statistics 2027 Jan. 9, 2027 - Workshop #5- Screening- Digital Project Slidedeck and Notebook Feb. 13, 2027 - Workshop #6- Science Fair Display Backboard and Notebook March 6, 2027 - Workshop #7- In -person Science Fair Judging Practice ; [Location(s) will be provided in January 2027] March 27, 2027 - Workshop #8- Post Fair Workshop Check out our GSDSEF YouTube page for more workshops! 2025-26 Workshop Recordings Sept. 6, 2025 - Workshop #1- Finding an Idea Sept. 20, 2025 - Workshop #2- GSDSEF Student Account and SRC Process Oct. 11, 2025 - Workshop #3- Using the Scientific Method/Engineering Design Process: Problem to Results Dec. 6, 2025 - Workshop #4A- Data Analysis and Statistics- Basic Dec. 20, 2025 - Workshop #4B- Data Analysis and Statistics- Advanced Jan. 10, 2026 - Workshop #5- Screening- Digital Project Slidedeck and Notebook Feb. 14, 2026 - Workshop #6- Science Fair Display Backboard and Notebook March 14, 2026 - Workshop #7- In-person Science Fair Judging Practice

2022 Results - 68th Annual GSDSEF (under construction) long description coming soon Next Previous

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

Product Testing (Junior Division Only) Studies of quality control, and/or comparison studies of product designs by using accepted scientific tests to obtain quantifiable results. Product Testing: The study of the comparison and testing of commercial off–the-shelf products for quality and/or effectiveness for intended use in real-world consumer-oriented applications. Next Project Category Previous Project Category