Search Results

Information GSDSEF / ISEF Rules and Regulations 2025/2026 WHO MAY ENTER the GSDSEF Any 6th through 12th grade student attending a public, private, parochial or home school in San Diego or Imperial Counties may enter a project in a local school science fair. Top projects from each school then move through the online 1) SRC Review Process, where projects are reviewed for safety, 2) Screening, where projects are reviewed for quality, and 3) Application, where students apply to attend the GSDSEF. DIVISIONS Junior -- grades 6 through 8 (either individual or 2-person team projects may be entered) Senior -- grades 9 through 12 (either individual or 2-person team projects may be entered) All students who develop a project for the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair must read and comply with all Rules and Regulations in this document. Parents, teachers and adult supervisors must also read and understand the rules and regulations. Following are the ETHICS STATEMENT, the ISEF RULES and ADDITIONAL GSDSEF RULES. ETHICS STATEMENT FOR GSDSEF PARTICIPATION The GSDSEF follows the Ethics Statement of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Student researchers, as well as adults who have a role in their projects , are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. These include, but are not limited to: Integrity. Honesty, objectivity, and avoidance of conflicts of interest are expected at every stage of the research. The project should reflect independent research done by the student(s), and represent only one year’s work. Legality. Compliance with all federal, country, state, and local law is essential. All projects must be approved by a Scientific Review Committee (SRC), and when necessary must also be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and/or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Respect for Confidentiality and Intellectual Property. Confidential communications, as well as patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property must be honored. Unpublished data, methods, or results may not be used without permission, and credit must be given to all contributions of research. Stewardship of the Environment. It is the responsibility of the researcher(s) and the adults involved to protect the environment and its organisms from harm. All projects involve some amount of risk. Everyone is expected to recognize the hazards, assess the risks, minimize them, and prepare for emergencies. Animal Care. Proper care and respect must be given to vertebrate animals. The guiding principles for the use of animals in research includes the following “Four R’s”: Replace, Reduce, Refine, Respect. Human Participant Protection. The highest priority is the health and well-being of the student researcher(s) and human participants. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (PHBAs ). It is the responsibility of the students and adults involved in the project to conduct and document a risk assessment, and to safely handle and dispose of organisms and materials. Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. This includes plagiarism, forgery, use or representation of other researcher’s work as one’s own and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition in affiliated fairs and ISEF. Society for Science and the Public reserves the right to revoke recognition of a project subsequently found to be fraudulent. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS BY ISEF These requirements are not limited to the following list. For COMPLETE requirements, please refer to the ISEF Rules and Guidelines. All students must adhere to local, state, and US Federal laws, regulations and permitting conditions. Note: The GSDSEF may have additional restrictions or requirements compared to ISEF. All projects must adhere to the GSDSEF rules, guidelines, and requirements in order to qualify for ISEF. It is the responsibility of the student and the Adult Sponsor/Teacher/Advisor to evaluate the study to determine if the research will require forms and/or review and approval PRIOR to experimentation . As necessary, SRC, IRB, IACUC, IBC approvals must be received and documented before experimentation begins. The use of non-animal research methods and alternatives to animal research are strongly encouraged and must be explored before conducting a vertebrate animal project. Introduction or disposal of non-native, genetically-altered, and/or invasive species (e.g. insects, plants, invertebrates, vertebrates), pathogens, toxic chemicals or foreign substances into the environment is prohibited. Please reference local, state, and national regulations. All students must follow the Ethics Statement and ISEF Rules and Guidelines in order to compete at the affiliated fair (GSDSEF), California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Projects may include no more than 12 months of contiguous research and may not include research in the prior year. For example, for the 2026 ISEF competition, research cannot be from before January of 2025. A research project may be a part of a larger study performed by professional scientists, but the project presented by the student must only be only their own portion of the complete study. GSDSEF PROJECT SAFETY RULES AND GUIDELINES--in Addition to ISEF The Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) adheres to and complies with the Safety Rules and Guidelines of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Refer to for questions regarding general safety and specifically Vertebrate Animals, Research Involving Humans, Biohazards, and other Hazards. Research involving Vertebrate Animals and Humans have additional rules, regulations, and guidelines which must be complied with. See information in the ISEF Rules and Guidelines which can be found at https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2026/Rules/Book.pdf In addition to ISEF Rules and Guidelines, the GSDSEF: prohibits projects involving tobacco; tobacco products; smokeless powder; black powder; explosives; the manufacture of rocket fuel and/or alcohol/other intoxicants or gasohol (or the production of these). reserves the right to decline any project it deems unsafe. Any project requiring anything to be burned requires a Hazards Form. PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS MAY NOT LOAD OR RELOAD ANY AMMUNITION. For questions about this GSDSEF Rule, please contact Steve Rodecker, steve.rodecker@gsdsef.org

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).

Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair Contact Us We'll get back to you shortly First name* Last name* Email* Message SUBMIT

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

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 SRC Review and Quality Screening What is SRC Review? During the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) review, qualified scientists, engineers, and teachers review each project to determine if safe scientific and engineering practices have been followed. This process occurs BEFORE you start your project and you must have approval from the SRC BEFORE you start your project. What is Quality Screening? During quality screening, qualified scientists, engineers, and teachers review each project to determine if correct scientific and engineering practices have been followed. Quality Screening approval is required AFTER the project is done. For SRC Review: 1.Students log into their account. 2. Students then click on DASHBOARD in upper left hand column, then click on CREATE PROJECT which is on the right side. 3. Students fill in all details about their project (title, materials, procedure, etc.) in TAB 1 and TAB 2. Teacher and student should review the procedure to check for any needed ISEF forms. Information can be found below and in the FORMS HELPER TAB 3 on student account. 4. Attach any ISEF forms that are needed in TAB 4. 5. DIGITAL Signature Procedure-- TAB 5 a) Student fills in and signs form digitally. b) Parent fills in and signs form digitally. c) Student sends the form to the teacher to be signed digitally. d) The teacher/advisor will receive an email notifying him/her that there are projects to review and sign. Once the teacher/advisor signs digitally, the project will be automatically sent for SRC review. The project will be reviewed by the GSDSEF SRC and the student will receive an email with approval or a request for forms/modifications before approval is given to start. ALL Students--Do not start with your project until you have received SRC approval. Depending on the project, you will get approved, be asked to make modifications, or be asked to provide further forms. If you have questions whether your proposed project is acceptable or to clarify any safety concerns, please contact Rose Armour at rose.armour@gsdsef.org . For Quality Screening: To properly submit projects for screening, students must Go to gsdsef.org and log in to their account. Go to the My Project link on the left side of the screen. Click on to the Tab 6 Digital Presentation Upload On the top of Tab 6 will be the Digital Presentation Template if you have not already downloaded it and used it. When completed and saved as a pdf file , upload your Digital Presentation in Tab 6. After uploading your Digital Presentation, click SUBMIT TO QUALITY SCREENING The project will then be screened. The student will receive an email as to the status of the project. Helpful Tools: 2026 Digital presentation template(2) .pptx Download PPTX • 95KB Digital Presentation Example .pdf Download PDF • 682KB What_screeners_are_looking_for_in_a_gsdsef_project_2 .pdf Download PDF • 70KB Results of Quality Screening: There are three possible outcomes from the screening process. Students and teachers will hear back directly about the results, which typically takes about a week. Approved/Recommended Based on the quality of the science, engineering, or coding, the project merits participation in the GSDSEF. Students will then go to TAB 7 Abstract and follow the directions for uploading the abstract. Not Approved / Not Recommended Based on the factors listed below, the project has been NOT Recommended to participate in the GSDSEF. Students will not be able to apply to this year's GSDSEF. project is demonstration of principle or a report project has too many inadequacies- Please see "What Screeners are Looking for" above. project violates GSDSEF rules Resubmit with Modifications The overall quality of the project is good, but in order to be acceptable, modifications required by the Screener must be carried out and sent back to be re-screened by the deadline. The original screener then decides whether the project will be Approved/Recommended or NOT Recommended. The student will receive an email listing the changes that need to be made. Project is resubmitted. If accepted, you will apply to the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair: Once you are accepted and have uploaded your Abstract (TAB 7), you will then proceed to TAB 8 for the Review and Payment. Fee Payment must be submitted and received by the Fair deadline in order to complete the entire process. The student will receive an email when the whole process is completed and paid. 1) All individual payments must be done with a credit card. 2) School PO's-- If a school or school district is paying for the students to participate in the GSDSEF, the teacher or school official must contact the GSDSEF Fair Director to approve the PO and receive a code for students to complete the payment process. 3) If an individual is unable to pay via electronic methods, please contact Steve Rodecker at steve.rodecker@gsdsef.org within 3 days of receiving notification of being recommended to the GSDSEF for alternative payment method directions. NOTE: If you are a team project, each member submits his/her own separate application and fee payment. Please follow all deadlines! Students who submit their application and fees after the application deadline will not be entered in the Student Exhibitor Directory and Information. The GSDSEF Application fee is $ 50 PER STUDENT.

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!!

Board of Directors Dr. Earl Williams, BOD President, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Mr. Sany Zakharia, BOD Treasurer, Qualcomm Ms. Vickie Driver, Zim Biosciences Dr. Donna Kritz-Silverstein, UCSD Mr. Sam Ferguson, Lockheed Martin 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.

Information Judging Info The Fair has three sets of judges: The Category judges These judges decide the Fair's own placements (first through third) in each of the 16 categories. Category (Morning) Judging will take place on Wednesday, March 18th , 2026 from 7:30AM –12:00PM. Grand Awards Judges These judges decide on the Fair's top awards in Life and Physical Sciences. Grand Awards Judging will take place on Wednesday afternoon, March 18th , 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Special Awards (Registered Professional Societies) These judges choose among the participants based on specific criteria. Judging Timeline For 2026. Professional Society/Special Awards Judging will take place during the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18th , 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Judging Descriptions Category Judging The Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair is an exciting and important San Diego community event that relies entirely on the generosity of our community's volunteers. The Fair will usually have about 325 science projects on display along with the 350 plus 6th-12th graders who produced them. Being a judge is actually a lot more fun than it sounds. It mostly requires listening to enthusiastic young kids tell you what they did. For anyone new to judging, there is a great deal of advice regarding how to judge kinds of questions to ask (see judging resources page). Also, judging is done in teams, so there are typically experienced judges to assist someone new, should that need arise. Most of the projects are done by 7th and 8th graders, so you don’t need to be a PhD (although we do appreciate having PhD’s on our judging teams). You do need a background in science, math, computers or engineering and a good knowledge of the scientific method. Click here to learn more about Category Judging Grand Award (Formerly Sweepstakes) Judging These are the very best projects in the Fair. Projects recommended for Grand Award consideration are reviewed by teams of our most experienced judges during the afternoon judging session (7 or more years of experience are required). Four Grand Award and four Runners-up are selected in both Junior (7th - 8th grade) and Senior (9th -12th grade) Division. Special Awards/Professional Society Judging Over 40 Professional Societies and other organizations present awards at the GSDSEF. Each provides its own judges and sets its own criteria for awards. In order to participate, one person for the Professional Society must agree to act as a point of contact for the GSDSEF. This person is responsible for recruiting judges for that Professional Society, and reporting their selected winners to the GSDSEF. Awards may be then left with the GSDSEF for distribution directly to students, or the Professional Society may arrange another method to present their awards. Click here to learn more about Special Awards/Professional Society Judging

Information Learn More Why should students do STEM Research Projects? Benefits.. The GSDSEF promotes experimentation, creativity, and discovery…. Students benefit by: • using many disciplines including reading, writing, 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 • 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. Students, if you are you • a 6 th - 12 th grade student interested in science, technology, engineering, and/or math. • curious and like to think outside the box • enjoy building or creating things • like to come up with solutions to problems • want to make a difference in the future participating in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair is for you! For over 70 years, the GSDSEF-- now with over 35,000 alumni ! -- has been promoting and nurturing San Diego’s and America’s future STEM workforce. The GSDSEF is a 501(c)(3) run by volunteers on the Management Committee and Board of Directors, and is supported entirely by regional corporate and educational donors—truly a hugely successful industry-education partnership! The GSDSEF is very important in maintaining this region’s leadership in STEM and cultivating it further and is an opportunity for regional companies and organizations, who understand the importance of an educated and qualified STEM workforce, to invest in their future resource pool through their sponsorship and participation. Each March the GSDSEF sponsors the largest and most prestigious STEM competition in San Diego and Imperial Counties. All 6-12 students in these two counties are welcome to participate. All projects go through a rigorous safety and quality review in order to qualify to compete, and every student who participates wins a Categorial Award. In addition, professional Societies and Organizations award nearly $40k in prizes. Each year 89 students from the GSDSEF are selected to compete in the California Science and Engineering Fair. The top 8 Senior Division (9-12) projects in the GSDSEF earn the unique privilege to compete against the world’s best young researchers at the International Science and Engineering Fair—the largest and most competitive STEM Fair in the world. The GSDSEF fosters creativity and innovation through inquiry, celebrates students’ STEM achievements, and showcases how young minds can make an impact in the present and future. Come and join us! Get involved now as a student, teacher, parent, volunteer, or sponsor!

Information Workshops (OLD, DO NOT USE) 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 2025-26, 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 2025-26 All workshops are scheduled on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30 AM 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-->Results Dec. 6, 2025 - Workshop #4A- Data Analysis and Statistics- Basic Dec. 17, 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 7, 2026 - Workshop #7- In -person Science Fair Judging Practice; 2:30-5:30pm; Tierrasanta Library March 28, 2026 - Workshop #8- Post Fair Workshop Check out our GSDSEF YouTube page for more workshops!

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