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

Sponsors How To Support The Fair The GSDSEF Needs Your Support Since 1955, the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair has been fostering creativity and innovation through inquiry and design. We celebrate students' STEM achievements and showcase how young minds can make an impact in the present and future. Why Contribute? The GSDSEF ... provides a forum for students to showcase their STEM research to the community. is a networking opportunity for students and the scientific, business, and academic communities. provides student recognition through awards and scholarships. provides an opportunity to advance to state, national, international, and other science and engineering competitions. By contributing to the GSDSEF, you are supporting the next generation of scientists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians, health-care professionals -- the problem-solvers...doers...innovators...constructors - those who will make a positive difference in the world. GSDSEF_Brochure_for_Fundraising_ .pdf Download PDF • 1.06MB Become a Corporate Sponsor Premier - $25,000 and up • Major Sponsor of the GSDSEF • Introductory speech at Awards Ceremony, banner displayed • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Diamond - $15,000 - $24,999 • Presence on stage at Awards Ceremony, banner displayed • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Platinum- $10,000 - $14,999 • Mention at the Awards Ceremony, banner displayed Gold - $5,000 - $9,999 • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Silver - $2,500 - $4,999 • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Bronze - $1,000 - $2,499 • Name/Logo displayed on all GSDSEF digital and print literature Friends of GSDSEF - $999 and less • Name displayed on Sponsor page—no logo GSDSEF_Sponsorship_Levels .pdf Download PDF • 273KB Contact our team at sponsor@gsdsef.org to become a Corporate Sponsor. For individual or group donations, please contact us via the Contact Us Online link at the bottom of the page. Your support of the students of San Diego and Imperial Counties is greatly appreciated! The GSDSEF wish to thank the following sponsors: Premier Sponsor $25,000 and up - Qualcomm Diamond Sponsors $15,000 - $24,999 - PECG (Professional Engineers in California Government),Thermo Fisher Scientific Platinum Sponsors $10,000 - $14,999 - ASML, Broadcom Foundation, General Atomics Science Education Foundation, Lilly, Society for Science, Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation Silver Sponsors $2,500 - $4,999 - Collins Aerospace Systems, Pfizer Bronze Sponsors $1,000 - $2,499 - DRS Daylight Solutions, Taiwanese American Foundation of S.D. In-Kind Sponsors - Fleet Science Center, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Wildlife Alliance GSDSEF is an all-volunteer, registered tax-exempt California non-profit 501 (c) 3 Corporation, operating as a Public Charity Status. We are totally dependent on donations from industry, business, and friends like you to make the science fair possible. EIN #23-7332855

SLB SLB Members 2025 - 2026 Student Leadership Board Board Officers: President - Arnav Dagar Vice President of Outreach - Shounak Ray Chaudhuri Vice President of Activities - William Gao Secretary - Adhiban Arulselvan Treasurer - Steven Chen 2025-26 SLB Members: First Name Last Name School Omar Abdulaziz Alexander Allport Medha Aravind Adhiban Arulselvan Dhruv Bantval Maya Bantval Mihir Bapat Harshini Bharadwaj Charles Brum Abhiram Chalamalasetty Shounak Chaudhuri Hayden Chen Steven Chen Zoey Chen Aaron Cooper Arnav Dagar Anabia Ehsan Leanne Fan William Gao Risha Guha David He Abby Hensley Ethan Hu Lucy Huang Reema Jasim Jolina Jian Anirudh Kalyanaraman Yaalini Kathir Rebecca Leeman Jaelyn Liang Ricky Lim Anna Luo Tanya Mandyam Ashwin Mantravadi Nalin Marwah Jeyanth Parthasarathy Tanvi Pyla Advita Rajagopalan Ritam Sen Ihan Sung Siri Tipirneni Ella Xing Henry Xu Kailin Xuan Matthew Yang Lilian Zeng Sophie Zeng Amber Zhang Amy Zhang Austin Zhang Elvin Zhang Virginia Zhu Ryan Zoch For questions or information on our workshops, project advice/peer mentoring, and other Student Leadership Activities, please CONTACT US at: gsdsefslb@gmail.com For all other questions and information, please use the CONTACT US ONLINE button on the bottom of the webpage. SLB Advisors and Supervisors: Mr. Steve Rodecker, Fair Director, stevegsdsef@gmail.com

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

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

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

The 71st Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair The 71st Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair The 71st Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair Was Held in 2025 At The Balboa Park Activity Center, 2145 Park Blvd, On Wednesday, March 12.

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. To register as a judge, please click here to access zFairs. While we are planning on in-person judging, early virtual previews of student projects will still be available in zFairs. Learning videos will be available to help you navigate through zFairs. 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. Please view the GSDSEF Categories below for for descriptions, and note that each category name is hyperlinked to a category-specific judging guide. Guide for Judging Animal Sciences Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 84KB Guide for Judging Behavioral and Social Sciences Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 147KB Guide for Judging Biochemistry Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 128KB Guide for Judging Biomedical Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Science Fair Proje .pdf Download PDF • 158KB Guide for Judging Cellular and Molecular Biology Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 121KB Guide for Judging Chemistry Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 149KB Guide for Judging Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 137KB Guide for Judging Computer Science and Systems Software Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 128KB Guide for Judging Earth and Environmental Sciences Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 154KB Guide for Judging Engineering Electrical Mechanical and Robotics Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 159KB Guide for Judging Engineering Energy Materials and Transport Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 167KB Guide for Judging Mathematics Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 148KB Guide for Judging Microbiology Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 123KB Guide for Judging Physics and Astronomy Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 126KB Guide for Judging Plant Sciences Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 125KB Guide for Judging Product Testing Science Fair Projects .pdf Download PDF • 76KB Vickie Driver Judging Coordinator For more information, please contact: judging@gsdsef.org Find judging resources below: GSDSEF Standards for Judging a Science Fair Project .pdf Download PDF • 44KB 20 Questions You Might Ask .pdf Download PDF • 114KB Comparing Projects .pdf Download PDF • 98KB Elements of a Science Fair Project A .pdf Download PDF • 109KB Reward the Best Encourage the Rest_2025Final .pdf Download PDF • 129KB Judges Rubric .pdf Download PDF • 168KB For more information, email judging@gsdsef.org

Sponsors Sponsors The GSDSEF wishes to thank the following sponsors: Premier Sponsor $25,000 and up - Qualcomm Diamond Sponsors $15,000 - $24,999 - PECG (Professional Engineers in California Government),Thermo Fisher Scientific Platinum Sponsors $10,000 - $14,999 - ASML, Broadcom Foundation, General Atomics Science Education Foundation, Lilly, Society for Science, Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation Silver Sponsors $2,500 - $4,999 - Collins Aerospace Systems, Future Forward Labs, Pfizer Bronze Sponsors $1,000 - $2,499 - DRS Daylight Solutions, Taiwanese American Foundation of S.D., Friends of GSDSEF In-Kind Sponsors - Fleet Science Center, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Wildlife Alliance

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

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

Information Special Awards Sponsors Recent Special Award Sponsors Below is a sample of organizations that have generously supported our students. Please note this is not a definitive list. American Psychological Association American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers, San Diego Section American Society of Non Destructive Testing (San Diego Section) Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Association for Women Geoscientists Association for Women in Science San Diego BD “Advancing the World of Health” Award Broadcom “Coding with Commitment” Award Building Industry Association Cares California Association of Professional Scientists California Environmental Health Association Southwest Chapter and County of San Diego DEHQ California School Nurse Organization - San Diego/Imperial (CSNO- SDI) Collins Aerospace’s Fred H. Rohr Science Award Department of Defense (DoD) STEM Leadership Prize DRS Daylight Solutions Award for Optical Physics and Engineering DRS Daylight Solutions Project Assistance Award for Optical Physics and Engineering General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation Lemelson Early Inventor Prize Marine Technology Society NASA EARTH System Science Award National Geographic Award National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” Award Nature Needs SD Office of Naval Research (U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps) Professional Engineers in California Government Award Regeneron Biomedical Science Award Ricoh USA, Inc. San Diego Astronomy Association San Diego Chapter, American Society of Materials International San Diego County Dental Foundation San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association San Diego County Water Authority San Diego Psychological Association San Diego Section, American Chemical Society Scripps Research Young Scientist Award Society for In Vitro Biology Society for Women Engineers - San Diego County Section Stockholm Junior Water Prize Taiwan Award The Society of American Military Engineers - San Diego Post Thermo Fisher Award Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Torrey Pines Docent Society U.S. Air Force U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) U.S. Metric Association Yale Science and Engineering Association