Search Results

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), Xzom Platinum Sponsors $10,000 - $14,999 – ASML, Broadcom Foundation, General Atomics Science Education Foundation, Lilly, Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation Gold Sponsors $5,000 - $9,999 – Thermo Fisher Scientific Silver Sponsors $2,500 - $4,999 – Collins Aerospace Systems, DRS Daylight Solutions, Future Forward Labs, Pfizer Bronze Sponsors $1,000 - $2,499 – 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

2022 - 69th Annual San Diego Science and Engineering Fair long description coming soon Next Previous

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

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

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

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

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!

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 Scripps Ranch High School Alexander Allport La Jolla High School Medha Aravind Del Norte High School Adhiban Arulselvan Scripps Ranch High School Dhruv Bantval Canyon Crest Academy Maya Bantval Canyon Crest Academy Mihir Bapat Del Norte High School Harshini Bharadwaj Not stated Charles Brum Cathedral Catholic High School Abhiram Chalamalasetty Canyon Crest Academy Shounak Ray Chaudhuri Francis Parker Hayden Chen Del Norte High School Steven Chen Canyon Crest Academy Zoey Chen Not stated Aaron Cooper Canyon Crest Academy Arnav Dagar Canyon Crest Academy Anabia Ehsan Not stated Leanne Fan Westview High School William Gao Canyon Crest Academy Risha Guha Del Norte High School David He Westview High School Abby Hensley Chula Vista High School Ethan Hu The Bishop's School Lucy Huang Canyon Crest Academy Reema Jasim Not stated Jolina Jian Canyon Crest Academy Yaalini Kathir Canyon Crest Academy Riya Khushu Francis Parker Rebecca Leeman Torah High School Jaelyn Liang Westview High School Ricky Lim Canyon Crest Academy Anna Luo Canyon Crest Academy Tanya Mandyam Westview High School Ashwin Mantravadi Del Norte High School Nalin Marwah Del Norte High School Jeyanth Narayan Parthasarathy Canyon Crest Academy Janeiro Perry Health Sciences High & Middle College Tanvi Pyla Canyon Crest Academy Advita Rajagopalan Del Norte High School Parth Saxena Scripps Ranch High School Ritam Sen Francis Parker Ihan Sung Eastlake High School Siri Tipirneni Canyon Crest Academy Ella Xing The Bishop's School Henry Xu Torrey Pines High School Kailin Xuan The Bishop's School Matthew Yang The Cambridge School Lilian Zeng Del Norte High School Sophie Zeng The Bishop's School Amber Zhang The Bishop's School Amy Zhang Westview High School Austin Zhang Del Norte High School Elvin Zhang Del Norte High School Virginia Zhu Del Norte High School Ryan Zoch Rancho Bernardo High School 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 button at the bottom of the webpage. SLB Advisor and Supervisor: Mr. Steve Rodecker, Fair Director, steve.rodecker@gsdsef.org

Information 2026 GSDSEF Schedule 2026 GSDSEF Schedule In 2026 we will be at the Balboa Park Activity Center in Balboa Park, 2145 Park Blvd, San Diego. 2025-26 Participation Process and Working on Project August 2025 - January 2026: Work on Project, and go through SRC Review and Quality Screening For details, go to: How to Participate Scientific Review (Safety) Committee Review - Complete by December 31, 2025 2026 Quality Screening Deadlines: January 20 – 6th and 7th grade digital project submissions due January 27 – 8th grade digital project submissions due February 11 – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade digital project submissions due February 17, NO EXCEPTIONS – All digital re-submissions due (if your initial screening result was "Needs Modifications") 2026 Applications (Tab 8), Payments, and zFairs*: February 20, 11:59PM, NO EXCEPTIONS – all GSDSEF Applications and Payments are due February 23 – Students receive initial login email from zFairs February 23-27 – Students complete accounts in zFairs and upload digital Judging Slidedecks and Notebooks February 27, 11:59pm – Judging Digital Presentation and Notebooks must be uploaded to zFairs March 9-15 – Judges preview Digital Presentation information in zFairs *What is zFairs? We use zFairs to upload your digital project information – notebooks and Digital Presentations – so judges can preview your project in the weeks preceding the Fair. zFairs is also used to assign judges to judging teams and teams to projects. GSDSEF dates for the 2026 Fair : March 16-22, 2026, at the Balboa Park Activity Center (BPAC) Monday, March 16, 2026 10am-5pm – Fair Setup Tuesday, March 17, 2026 8am-1pm – Fair Setup 1-7pm – Student project setup at the BPAC - - Bring Backboard Displays and Notebooks!! Students-- bring a chair! Wednesday, March 18, 2026: 7:15-8:00am – Student dropoff at the BPAC Students, bring a lunch! 8:00-11:30am – Category Awards Judging 10:00-11:30am – Special Awards Judging 11:30am-12:00pm – Student Lunch 12:00-2:00pm – Special Awards Judging 12:30pm-3:00pm – Grand Awards Judging 3:00-3:30pm – Student pick up Thursday, March 19, 2026: BPAC Closed 6:00-8:30pm – Awards Ceremony (location TBD, San Diego) Friday, March 20, 2026 BPAC closed to the public. Open for student tours 10am-2pm. No reservation necessary. Saturday, March 21, 2026 10am-1pm – BPAC open to public to view projects. 1pm-3pm – Students may start to take pick up their projects Sunday, March 22, 2026 10am-1pm – Project pickup 1pm-6pm – BPAC Cleanup

Page not found. (Error 404) Double check the website address and retype it in the address bar—or return to homepage. Back to Homepage