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2025 - 71st Annual GSDSEF Results Table of Contents 2025 GSDSEF Directory and Awards Ceremony Program Category Awards Special Awards 2025 GSDSEF Competition Director 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 Award in Alphabetica Order of Award Provider (132 KB) Next Previous

2024 - 70th Annual GSDSEF Results Table of Contents 2024 GSDSEF Directory and Awards Ceremony Slides Grand Awards Category and Special Awards Post-GSDSEF Competitions International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovation Challenge (TFSJIC) 2024 GSDSEF Competition Directory and GSDSEF Awards Ceremony Slides 2024 - 70th Annual GSDSEF Information and Student Exhibitor Directory (9.6 MB) Download 2024 Awards Ceremony Intro and Guest Speakers Presentation (5.4 MB) Download 2024 70th Annual GSDSEF Grand Awards Presentation (243.9 MB) Download 2024 70th Annual Third Awards Presentation (2.6 MB) Download 2024 70th Annual Second Awards Presentation (3.1 MB) Download 2024 70th Annual First Awards Presentation (5.3 MB) Download 2024 70th Annual GSDSEF Grand Awards Presentation (980 KB) Download 2024 Professional Society Awards Presentation Slides (10.1 MB) Return to Table of Contents GSDSEF Grand Awards SENIOR DIVISION JUNIOR DIVISION Grand Award Winners: Life Sciences Leanne Fan , Gr. 10, Westview High School, Advisor: D. MacMartin - ISEF FINALIST Biomedical/Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering: Photobiomodulation on in-vivo and in-vitro Wound Models Under Simulated Microgravity for Future Space Travel Nithika Vivek , Gr. 10, Del Norte High School, Advisor: K. Ramesh - ISEF FINALIST Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Deep Learning Multi-Modal Melanoma Detection Grand Award Winners: Physical Sciences Angelina Kim , Gr. 11, The Bishop's School, Advisor: A. Pelletier - ISEF FINALIST Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics: An Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System for Ocean Hazard Recognition and Rescue: Scout and Rescue UAV Prototypes, Findings, and Next Steps Arnav Dagar , Gr. 10, Canyon Crest Academy, Advisor: K. Hare - ISEF FINALIST Computer Science and Systems Software: ARFSNet - Deep Learning for Amblyopia Risk Factor Screening Grand Award Runners- Up: Life Sciences Zinia Khattar , Gr. 11, Del Norte High School, Advisor: A. Khosla - ISEF FINALIST Biomedical/Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering: Integrated Stress Response Activation Discovered to Be Predominant Response to Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Therapeutic Target Advancement Sydney Zhang , Gr. 11, Westview High School, Advisor: S. Halandar Biomedical/Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering: Design and Usability Study of a Point of Care mHealth App for Early Dry Eye Screening and Detection Grand Award Runners-Up: Physical Sciences Sarah Gao, Gr. 11, Canyon Crest Academy, Advisor: E. Gerstin - ISEF FINALIST Earth and Environmental Science: From Trash to Treasure: FIghting Desertification with Biodegradable Soil Amending Hydrogels Sythesized from Food Waste Alex Battikha , Gr. 11, Westview High School, Advisor: J. Silberman Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics: Using Artificial Intelligence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Aid on Environmental Remediation * ISEF Finalists competed in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May, 2024. See below for award winners! The Taiwan Award: Alex Battikha , Gr. 11, Westview High School, Advisor: J. Silberman Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics: Using Artificial Intelligence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Aid on Environmental Remediation Grand Award Winners: Life Sciences Yaalini Kathiravan and Arunchalam Vinayagam , Gr. 7 and Gr. 8, Pacific Trails Middle School, Advisor: M. Mareth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Early Detection of Scalp and Facial Diseases Using Selfies and Artificial Intelligence Steven Chen , Pacific Trails Middle School, Gr. 8, Advisor: M. Mareth Earth and Environmental Science: Synthesizing Living Materials for Coral Reef Regeneration Grand Award Winners: Physical Sciences Declan Henckels and Guham Senthil , Gr. 8 and Gr. 8, Pacific Trails Middle School, Advisor: M. Mareth Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics: Smart Walker Oliver Cottrell , Gr. 6, La Jolla Country Day School, Advisor: N. Parker Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics: Automatic Hockey Puck Passer Grand Award Runners-Up: Life Sciences Bella Schere , Gr. 8, The Children's School, Advisor: D. Quincannon, Behavioral and Social Sciences: Does the Use of Motivational Interviewing Affect Student Effort? Omar Abdulaziz and Anabia Ehsan , Gr. 8 and Gr. 7, Thurgood Marshall MIddle School, Advisor: A. Abdurrab Biomedical/Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering: Early Detection of Bradykinesia and Tremors in Parkinson's Disease Using a Wearable Inertial-Measurement Unit Grand Award Runners-Up: Physical Sciences Samuel Sternson, Gr. 8, The Rhoades School, Advisor: R. Hunker Physics and Astronomy: Passive Cooling with Infrared Reflective Crystals Yusra Salem , Gr. 6, Bright Horizon Academy, Advisor: N. Naserelddin Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics: A Vibra Return to Table of Contents GSDSEF Category and Special Awards 2024 Student Exhibitor Directory of Place Awards (548 KB) 2024 Student Exhibitor Project Abstracts with Awards: SENIOR DIVISION JUNIOR DIVISION ANIMAL SCIENCES (ANIM) (Project ID #101) 2024 SR ANIM Project Abstracts with Awards ( 223 KB) ANIMAL SCIENCES (ANIM) (Project ID # 501 - 507) 2024 JR ANIM Project Abstracts with Awards (286 KB) BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (BEHA) (Project ID #111 - 117) 2024 SR BEHA Project Abstracts with Awards ( 291 KB) BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (BEHA) (Project ID #511 - 525) 2024 JR BEHA Project Abstracts with Awards (386 KB) BIOCHEMISTRY (BCHM) (Project ID #131 - 133) 2024 SR BCHM Project Abstracts with Awards (258 KB) BIOCHEMISTRY (BCHM) (Project ID #531 - 538) 2024 JR BCHM Project Abstracts with Awards (273 KB) BIOMEDICAL/HEALTH SCIENCES AND BIOENGINEERING (BMDE) (Project ID #141 - 159) 2024 SR BMDE Project Abstracts with Awards ( 469 KB) BIOMEDICAL/HEALTH SCIENCES AND BIOENGINEERING (BMDE) (Project ID #551 - 559) 2024 JR BMDE Project Abstracts with Awards (336 KB) CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CELL) (Project ID #171 - 177) 2024 SR CELL Project Abstracts with Awards ( 293 KB) CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CELL) (There are no Junior Division CELL projects this year) CHEMISTRY (CHEM) (Project ID #191) 2024 SR CHEM Project Abstracts with Awards ( 233 KB) CHEMISTRY (CHEM) (Project ID #581 - 592) 2024 JR CHEM Project Abstracts with Awards (317 KB) COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS (CBIO) (Project ID #201 - 222) 2024 SR CBIO Project Abstracts with Awards (400 KB) COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS (CBIO) (Project ID #601 - 602) 2024 Abstracts .06 JR CBIO.pdf (263 KB) COMPUTER SCIENCE AND SYSTEMS SOFTWARE (COMP) (Project ID #231 - 250) 2024 SR COMP Project Abstracts with Awards (408 KB) COMPUTER SCIENCE AND SYSTEMS SOFTWARE (COMP) (Project ID 611 - 617) 2024 JR COMP Project Abstracts with Awards (300 KB) EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (EAEV) (Project ID #261 - 278) 2024 SR EAEV Project Abstracts with Awards (432 KB) EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (EAEV) (Project ID #631 - 645) 2024 JR EAEV Project Abstracts with Awards (367 KB) ENGINEERING: ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND ROBOTICS (EEMR) (Project ID #291 - 300) 2024 SR EEMR Project Abstracts with Awards (388 KB) ENGINEERING: ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND ROBOTICS (EEMR) (Project ID #651 - 670) 2024 JR EEMR Project Abstracts with Awards (449 KB) ENGINEERING: ENERGY, MATERIALS, AND TRANSPORT (EEMT) (Project ID #311 - 317) 2024 SR EEMT Project Abstracts with Awards (299 KB) ENGINEERING: ENERGY, MATERIALS, AND TRANSPORT (EEMT) (Project ID #681 - 693) 2024 JR EEMT Project Abstracts with Awards (355 KB) MATHEMATICS (MATH) (Project ID #331) 2024 SR MATH Project Abstracts with Awards (209 KB) MATHEMATICS (MATH) (There are no Junior Division MATH Projects this year) MICROBIOLOGY (MCRO) (Project ID #341 - 343) 2024 SR MCRO Project Abstracts with Awards (249 KB) MICROBIOLOGY (MCRO) (Project ID #711 - 724) 2024 JR MCRO Project Abstracts with Awards (330 KB) PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY (PHYS) (Project ID #351 - 358) 2024 SR PHYS Project Abstracts with Awards (304 KB) PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY (PHYS) (Project ID #731 - 744) 2024 JR PHYS Project Abstracts with Awards (370 KB) PLANT SCIENCES (PLNT) (Project ID #371 - 382) 2024 SR PLNT Project Abstracts with Awards (319 KB) PLANT SCIENCES (PLNT) (Project ID #751 - 762) 2024 JR PLNT Project Abstracts with Awards (319 KB) PRODUCT TESTING (PROD) Junior Division Only (Project ID #771 - 785) 2024 JR PROD Project Abstracts with Awards (320 KB) GSDSEF SENIOR DIVISION: 2024 Senior Division Place Award Results by Last Name (436 KB) 2024 Senior Division Place Award Results by Category (435 KB) 2024 Senior Division Categorical Results by Place Award (405 KB) GSDSEF JUNIOR DIVISION: 2024 Junior Division Place Award Results by Last Name (481 KB) 2024 Junior Division Place Awards by Category (479 KB) 2024 Junior Division Categorical Awards by Place Award (480 KB) AFFILIATED FAIRS: 2024 California Science and Engineering Fair Qualified Students (by Alphabetical Order) (301 KB) 2024 California Science and Engineering Fair Qualified Students by Division (285 KB) 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Nominees (140 KB) PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY AWARDS: 2024 Professional Societies Awards (Update) (121 KB) Return to Table of Contents Post-GSDSEF Competitions 2024 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) TRANSLATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE GRAND AWARD: Second Award of $2,000 SPECIAL AWARD: NASA: 1st Prize of $3,000 Leanne Fan, Westview High School, Grade 10 TMED035 — Photobiomodulation on In Vivo and In Vitro Wound Models Under Simulated Microgravity for Future Space Travel BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES GRAND AWARD: Second Award of $2,000 Zinia Khattar, Del Norte High School, Grade 11 BMED059 — Integrated Stress Response Activation Discovered to Be the Predominant Response to Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Therapeutic Target Advancement ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: STATICS & DYNAMICS GRAND AWARD: Third Award of $1,000 SPECIAL AWARD: IEEE Foundation President's Scholarship 1st Prize of $10,000 Angelina Kim, The Bishop’s School, Grade 11 ETSD037 — An Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System for Ocean Hazard Recognition and Rescue: Scout and Rescue UAVs ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SPECIAL AWARD: EPA Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability Award Honorable Mention Sarah Gao, Canyon Crest Academy, Grade 11 ENEV039 — From Trash to Treasure: Fighting Desertification with Sustainable Soil Amending Hydrogels Synthesized from Food Waste BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ISEF FINALIST Arnav Dagar, Canyon Crest Academy, Grade 10 ENBM034 — Deep Learning for Amblyopia Risk Factor Screening TRANSLATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE ISEF FINALIST Nithika Vivek, Del Norte High School, Grade 10 TMED061 — Deep Learning Multi Modal Melanoma Detection Return to Table of Contents 2024 California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) At the 2024 CSEF, 37 GSDSEF projects (44 students) received an Award: 2024 CSEF Award Results of GSDSEF Junior Division Students (129 KB) 2024 CSEF Award Results of GSDSEF Senior Division Students (124 KB) 2024 CSEF Sponsored Awards Results of GSDSEF Students (108 KB) Junior Division Results 1st Award: 4 projects 2nd Award: 3 projects 3rd Award: 3 projects 4th Award: 1 project Honorable Mentions: 5 projects Senior Division Results 1st Award: 1 project 2nd Award: 4 projects 3rd Award: 4 projects 4th Award: 2 projects Honorable Mention: 10 projects Note: In each category, one project is awarded a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Award. Each category may have more than one Honorable Mention. Return to Table of Contents 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator's Challenge (TFSJIC) Congratulations to Top 30 Finalist: Oliver Cottrell! 6th Grade, La Jolla Country Day School for his project, "Automatic Hockey Puck-Passer Machine" Society for Science and Thermo Fisher Scientific are proud to announce the 30 finalists in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge — the nation’s premier STEM research competition for middle school students (Grades 6 - 8). The finalists will travel to Washington, DC from October 25 – 30 to participate in the Finals Week of the competition. Each finalist is judged on both their science research projects as well as their demonstration of collaboration and critical thinking skills during team challenges, emphasizing the importance and value of teamwork in STEM fields. Each finalist receives a $500 cash award and will compete for $100,000 in prizes. Congratulations to Our Top 300 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators! These GSDSEF students were selected as Top 300 from 1,862 entrants, live in 36 states, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Steven Chen, Grade 8, Pacific Trails Middle School Synthesizing Living Materials for Coral Reef Regeneration Oliver Cottrell, Grade 6, La Jolla Country Day School Automatic Hockey Puck Passer Machine Emily Diep, Grade 8, Connect Academy @ Design 39 Campus A Study of a Homemade Smart Bracelet Integrated with an AI-Driven Speech Therapy Game for Children with Speech Disorders Jeyanth Narayan Parthasarathy, Grade 8, Pacific Trails Middle School Reducing Motion SIckness Caused by Regenerative Braking Systems Ritam Sen, Grade 8, Francis Parker School Can Elemental Sulfur Influence the Growth of Different Plants Samuel Sternson, Grade 8, The Rhoades School Passive Cooling with Infrared Reflective Crystals See the full list of the Top 30 finalists and their project descriptions here . See PRESS RELEASE with GSDSEF students selected among the Top 300 here . Return to Table of Contents Next Previous

SHOW YOUR BRILLIANCE SAN DIEGO'S SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR SINCE 1955 Science | Technology | Engineering | Math | Open to all San Diego and Imperial County Students Grades 6th through 12th Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fairs Since 1955, the GREATER SAN DIEGO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR (GSDSEF) has provided an inspiring experience in science and engineering for tens of thousands of San Diego and Imperial County students, motivating them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This regional competition challenges students to go beyond classroom studies to do independent research – to ask compelling questions, to design and implement innovative solutions, and to present and defend results to judges who are professionals in their fields. Learn More STUDENTS How to Participate Student Resources Project Categories Mentoring Program Workshops LOGIN Calendar & Schedule Past Results Latest News TEACHERS How to get your Students Involved Create Account Advisor Responsibilities Teacher Resources LOGIN 71st Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair The 71st Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair was held this year at the Balboa Park Activity Center, on Wednesday, March 12th. Read More 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. Read More BECOME A SPONSOR Thank You To Our Sponsors JUDGES Read More PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND AWARDS Read More VOLUNTEERS Read More Important Dates JAN 2026 2 Student Registration Begins MAR 2026 12 Application Payments Required. TEACHERS This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video. LOGIN Get Your Students Involved Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles. Advisor Responsibilities Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles. Teacher Resources Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles. STUDENTS The Science Fair is your gateway to discovering the endless possibilities within the scientific world. LOGIN HOW TO GET STARTED The GSDSEF follows the rules and guidelines set by the International Science and Engineering Fair. The GSDSEF has set additional guidelines to protect the safety of participants in addition to the ISEF Rules and Guidelines. PARTICIPATION PROCESS This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. STUDENT RESOURCES This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. MENTORING / TUTORING This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. STUDENT AND TEACHERS RESOURCES The Greater San Diego Engineering & Science Fair promises an enriching experience for students and teachers alike. We have carefully organized a set of rules to guide participants through the event, providing a clear understanding of project categories and expectations. Get ready to engage with the wonders of science in a meaningful way! Explore ISEF and GSDEF Rules Sample text for Introduction of Rules Read More Categories Sample text for Introduction for Categories Read More Judges Sample text for Introduction for Judges Read More FEATURED PROJECTS Student Project Highlights ALL PROJECTS I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. I’M AN IMAGE TITLE. CASE STUDY Project Spotlight Year completed: 2025 STUDENT Describe the client PROBLEM ISSUE: DESCRIBE

Teachers 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. Log into student account. 2. Students then click on DASHBOARD in upper left hand column then click on CREATE PROJECT which is on the right side. 3. 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 ISEF forms needed. Information can be found at FORMS HELPER (TAB 3 on student account) 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.

Behavioral & Social Sciences The science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods. Subcategories : Clinical & Developmental Psychology Cognitive Psychology Neuroscience Physiological Psychology Sociology and Social Psychology Other/Multiple Subcategories Clinical and Developmental Psychology: The study and treatment of emotional or behavioral disorders. Developmental psychology is concerned with the study of progressive behavioral changes in an individual from birth until death. Cognitive Psychology: The study of cognition, the mental processes that underlie behavior, including thinking, deciding, reasoning, and to some extent motivation and emotion. Neuroscience: Studies of the neural basis of cognitive processes, including learning and memory, language and thought, perception, attention, and affect. It investigates the human brain, from the functional organization of large-scale cerebral systems to microscopic neurochemical processes. Physiological Psychology: The study of the biological and physiological basis of behavior. This field studies the neural mechanisms of perception and behavior through direct manipulation of the brain in controlled experiments. Sociology and Social Psychology: The study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society. Sociology is concerned with all group activities-economic, social, political, and religious. Includes studies of consumers and decision-making about a particular product/service or study of the need, attitude, and markets of a particular group. Other/Multiple: Studies in Behavioral and Social Science that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

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!

Science and Engineering Fair Project Categories Project Categories Animal Sciences Behavioral & Social Sciences Biochemistry Biomedical/Health Sciences & Bioengineering Cellular & Molecular Biology Chemistry Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Computer Science & Systems Software Earth & Environmental Science Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical & Robotics Engineering: Energy, Materials, & Transport Mathematics Microbiology Physics & Astronomy Plant Sciences Product Testing (Junior Division Only)

Plant Sciences Studies of plants and how they live, including structure, physiology, development, and classification. Includes plant cultivation, development, ecology, genetics and plant breeding, pathology, physiology, systematics and evolution. Subcategories Agriculture and Agronomy Ecology Genetics and Breeding Growth and Development Pathology Plant Physiology Systematics and Evolution Other/Multiple Agriculture and Agronomy: Application of the various soil and plant sciences to soil management and agricultural and horticultural crop production. Includes biological and chemical controls of pests, hydroponics, fertilizers and supplements. Ecology: The study of interactions and relationships among plants, and plants and animals, with their environment. Genetics and Breeding: The study of organismic and population genetics of plants. The application of plant genetics and biotechnology to crop improvement. This includes genetically modified crops. Growth and Development: The study of a plant from earliest stages through germination and into later life. This includes cellular and molecular aspects of development and environmental effects, natural or manmade, on development and growth. Pathology: The study of plant disease states, and their causes, processes, and consequences. This includes effects of parasites or disease-causing microbes. Plant Physiology: The study of functions in plants and plant cells. This includes cellular mechanisms such as photosynthesis and transpiration, and how plant processes are affected by environmental factors or natural variations. Systematics and Evolution: The study of classification of organisms and their evolutionary relationships. This includes morphological, biochemical, genetic, and modeled systems. Other/Multiple: Studies in Plant Science that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

Biomedical/Health Sciences & Bioengineering a) Biomedical/Health Sciences This category focuses on studies specifically designed to address issues of human health and disease. It includes studies on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention or epidemiology of disease and other damage to the human body or mental systems. Includes studies of normal functioning and may investigate internal as well as external factors such as feedback mechanisms, stress or environmental impact on human health and disease. Subcategories: Cell, Organ, and Systems Physiology Genetics and Molecular Biology of Disease Immunology Nutrition and Natural Products Pathophysiology Other/Multiple Cell, Organ, and Systems Physiology: These studies investigate mechanisms that are involved in maintaining health or when disrupted, cause disease. They could involve investigating such things as the role of cell signaling pathways both within the cell (intracellular) and/or between cells (extracellular). Alternatively, studies in this subcategory could investigate the maintenance of homeostasis at the organ or whole-body level (e.g., hormonal control and regulation). These studies may also be in areas such as disease-related, stress-related, biochemical, mechanical, or physical changes at the tissue, organ, and /or cellular level. Genetics and Molecular Biology of Disease: These studies investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in the regulatory pathways that maintain normal body and cellular function or if disturbed can lead to disease. Studies could include examining the activation and deactivation of genes (e.g., transcription factors or epigenetic regulation) or involve more classical genetic identification studies. Immunology: These studies will investigate any aspects of the immune system that are involved in maintaining health or when altered lead to pathology. These studies can include new investigations of normal immune function (e.g., immune cell interactions and signaling), or they may study diseases caused by disorders in regulation of the immune system (e.g., immunodeficiency or autoimmunity). Alternatively, the studies could investigate problems such as graft vs host or host versus graft disease that arise during the treatment of other diseases or conditions. Nutrition and Natural Products: The study of food, nutrients and dietary need in humans, and the effects of food and nourishment on the body. These studies may include the effects of natural or supplemental nutrients and nutrition. Pathophysiology: These studies will be focused on determining specific causes of disease and on physiological mechanisms responsible for disease development. Investigations in this category will examine changes in the normal physiological balance, or homeostasis that cause a reaction(s) within the body leading to disease. b) Bioengineering Projects that involve the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes including diagnosis, monitoring and therapy. Prominent biomedical engineering applications include the development of biocompatible prostheses, various diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices ranging from clinical equipment to micro-implants, common imaging equipment such as MRIs and EEGs, regenerative tissue growth, pharmaceutical drugs and therapeutic biologicals. Subcategories: Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Biomechanics Biomedical Devices Biomedical Sensors and Imaging Cell and Tissue Engineering Synthetic Biology Other/Multiple Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine: These studies involve the creation or use of biomaterials or biocompatible materials to construct a whole or a part of a living structure. These studies can include scaffolds for recruiting or supporting regenerative cells or tissues or the engineering designs for creating the correct environment for regenerative growth. Biomechanics: Studies that apply classical mechanics (statics, dynamics, fluids, solids, thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics) to understand the function of biological tissues, organs, and systems and solve biological or medical problems. It includes the study of motion, material deformation, flow within the body and in devices, and transport of chemical constituents across biological and synthetic media and membranes. Biomedical Devices: The study and/or construction of an apparatus that use electronics and other measurement techniques to prevent and/or treat diseases or other conditions within or on the body. Biomedical Sensors and Imaging: The study and/or construction of an apparatus or technique that obtains data to measure a condition of the body using physical phenomenon (sound, radiation, magnetism, etc) with high speed electronic data processing, analysis and display to support biomedical advances and procedures. Cell and Tissue Engineering: Studies that utilize the anatomy, biochemistry and mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures in order to understand disease processes and to be able to intervene at very specific sites. Synthetic Biology: Studies that involve the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems. Such studies include biological circuit design, genetic circuits, protein engineering, nucleic acid engineering, rational design, directed evolution and metabolic engineering. Other/Multiple: Studies in Biomedical/Health Sciences and/or Bioengineering that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

Computer Science & Systems Software The study or development of software, information processes or methodologies to demonstrate, analyze, or control a process/solution. Subcategories: Algorithms Cybersecurity Databases Human/Machine Interface Languages and Operating Systems Mobile Apps Online Learning Virtual/Augmented Reality and Simulations (abiotic) Technology and the Arts Other/Multiple Algorithms: The study or creation of algorithms – step-by-step procedure of calculations to complete a specific task in data processing, automated reasoning and computing. Artificial Intelligence : Studies involving the ability of computers to think and learn--including speech recognition, problem solving, and planning. Cybersecurity: Studies involving the protection of a computer or computer systems against unauthorized access or attacks. This can include studies involving hardware, network, software, host or multimedia security. Databases: Studies that create or analyze data organization for ease of access, management and update. Human/Machine Interface: Software application that presents information to a user about the state of a process and to accept and implement the operator’s control instructions. Languages and Operating Systems: Studies that involve the development or analysis of artificial languages used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer or system software responsible for the direct control and management of hardware and basic system operations of a computer or mobile device. Mobile Apps: A study involving a software application developed specifically for use on small, wireless computing devices. These studies may include front-end development techniques, such as user interface design and cross-platform support, and/or back-end development techniques, such as data services and business logic. Online Learning: Studies that focus on utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional means. Studies explore the design of learning activities and programs with online technologies, as well as the effective use of e-learning systems. Virtual/Augmented Reality and Simulations (abiotic) : Creation of immersive, simulated environments using computer systems allowing the user to use/explore/manipulate 3D visual images. Technology and the Arts: Display Technology (DSP): New presentation technology to enhance the realism and excitement in entertainment. Human Information Exchange (HIE): Technologies that enhance linguistic communications between people to include languages, interpretations, and narrations. Music and Image Manipulation (MIM): The use of waveform manipulation technology to create, enhance or improve the enjoyment and/or selection of music or images. Games (GAM): Technology that creates or enhances the interactive sensory environments for competition. 3D Modeling (MOD): Technologies based on additive processes to produce new 3D art works. Engineering Effects (ENG): The use of autonomous devices to enhance the human artistic experience. Other/Multiple: Studies in Computer Sciences and Systems Software that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

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

Information Category Judge Resources Dear Judges, Judging for the 2026 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair will take place in person at the Balboa Park Activity Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. You can support the Fair and the students by volunteering as a judge. After judging registration opens in January 2026 , to register as a judge please click here to access zFairs. Tutorial videos will be provided to help you navigate through zFairs, where you will be able to view virtual previews of student projects. With your help as a judge, we will make the 2026 GSDSEF as successful as all the previous 71 Fairs! For 2026 we will continue with these categories and descriptions which were introduced in 2022. Each category name below is hyperlinked to a category-specific judging guide, for you to view or download. You can also view the Project Categories page f or descriptions of each category. Animal Sciences Behavioral and Social Sciences Biochemistry Biomedical Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Cellular and Molecular Biology Chemistry Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Computer Science and Systems Software Earth and Environmental Sciences Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics Engineering: Energy, Materials, and Transport Mathematics Microbiology Physics and Astronomy Plant Sciences Product Testing View or download additional judging resources below: GSDSEF Standards for Judging a Science Fair Project 20 Questions You Might Ask Comparing Projects Elements of a Science Fair Project Reward the Best Encourage the Rest Judges Rubric Vickie Driver Judging Coordinator For more information, please contact: judging@gsdsef.org