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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

SLB SLB Workshops SLB members are eager to share their enthusiasm, experience, and knowledge with you in a series of interactive step-by-step workshops designed to help you produce a successful STEM project. Workshop topics focus on how to participate in the GSDSEF as well as the entire science fair process and the scientific method/engineering principles from start to finish - from coming up with a project idea, to putting together your science notebook, to designing your poster board, and to finally preparing you for judging. Experienced SLB members are also available to work with you on an individual basis - to answer your specific questions based on your own project. For 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 to Results Dec. 6, 2025 - Workshop #4A- Data Analysis and Statistics- Basic Dec. 20, 2025 - Workshop #4B- Data Analysis and Statistics- Advanced Jan. 10, 2026 - Workshop #5- Screening- Digital Project Slidedeck and Notebook Feb. 14, 2026 - Workshop #6- Science Fair Display Backboard and Notebook March 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!

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

Mathematics The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures. Subcategories: Algebra Analysis Combinatorics, Graph Theory, and Game Theory Geometry and Topology Number Theory Probability and Statistics Other/Multiple Algebra: The study of algebraic operations and/or relations and the structures which arise from them. An example is given by (systems of) equations which involve polynomial functions of one or more variables. Analysis: The study of infinitesimal processes in mathematics, typically involving the concept of a limit. This begins with differential and integral calculus, for functions of one or several variables, and includes differential equations. Combinatorics, Graph Theory, and Game Theory: The study of combinatorial structures in mathematics, such as finite sets, graphs, and games, often with a view toward classification and/or enumeration. Geometry and Topology: The study of the shape, size, and other properties of figures and spaces. Includes such subjects as Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometries (spherical, hyperbolic, Riemannian, Lorentzian), and knot theory (classification of knots in 3-space). Number Theory: The study of the arithmetic properties of integers and related topics such as cryptography. Probability and Statistics: Mathematical study of random phenomena and the study of statistical tools used to analyze and interpret data. Other/Multiple: Studies in Mathematics that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

Physics & Astronomy Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth. Subcategories: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics Astronomy and Cosmology Biological Physics Condensed Matter and Materials Mechanics Nuclear and Particle Physics Theoretical, Computational, and Quantum Physics Other/Multiple Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics: The study of atoms, simple molecules, electrons, light, and their interactions. Projects studying non-solid-state lasers and masers also belong in this subcategory. Astronomy and Cosmology: The study of space, the universe as a whole, including its origins and evolution, the physical properties of objects in space and computational astronomy. Biological Physics: The study of the physics of biological processes and systems. Condensed Matter and Materials: The study of the properties of solids and liquids. Topics such as superconductivity, semi-conductors, complex fluids, and thin films are studied. Mechanics: Classical physics and mechanics, including the macroscopic study of forces, vibrations and flows; on solid, liquid and gaseous materials. Projects studying aerodynamics or hydrodynamics also belong in this subcategory. Nuclear and Particle Physics: The study of the physical properties of the atomic nucleus and of fundamental particles and the forces of their interaction. Projects developing particle detectors also belong in this subcategory. Theoretical, Computational, and Quantum Physics: The study of nature, phenomena and the laws of physics employing mathematical or computational methods rather than experimental processes. Other/Multiple: Studies in Physics and/or Astronomy that do not fit in the above subcategories or which may involve multiple subcategories. Next Project Category Previous Project Category

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

History of the Greater San Diego Science 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. 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." Inspirational…motivational…transformative… For over 60 years, the GSDSEF has been encouraging young minds in their pursuits that will define the next generation of scientific thought, discovery, and innovation. Pres.Obama speaks with Eric Chen about his project on influenza treatments 2014 (photo: Reuters - 27 May,'14) Robert Gonset, 14 designs a lie detector for the 1961 GSDSEF (SDUT)

Latest News The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair Jun 6, 2025 The 75th International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest and most prestigious science competition, concluded with the Grand Awards ceremony in host city Columbus, Ohio. Read More The 71st Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair Jan 26, 2025 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. Read More

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