Registration and Guidelines
Any student in 6th through 12th grade interested in science, math, technology or engineering, and enrolled in a public, private, parochial or home school in the State of New York is eligible to participate in the New York State Science & Engineering Fair. Students in 9th through 12th grade must apply for either the NYSSEF ISEF Division or Andromeda Division (Andromeda participants may not participate in an ISEF affiliated fair; regional or NYSSEF ISEF division). Students in 6th through 8th grade may only enter the Thermo-Fisher Division. For ALL competitions, students MUST be accompanied by an adult, school chaperone. School chaperones must abide by a 1 to 5 teacher to student ratio for Andromeda and Broadcom Divisions. *There is a $30 fee for bounced or returned checks.
NYSSEF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DENY PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS OR CHAPERONES WHO FAIL TO MEET THE CRITERIA OF PARTICIPATION IN OUR FAIR (OR ISEF), AS NOTED BY THE NYSSEF BOARD!!
NYSSEF- On-line registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis starting Dec. 9, 2024 until January 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM or until NYSSEF ISEF slots have reached maximum capacity at NYSCI.
Student abstracts, research paper, presentation video link, ISEF paperwork, and registration materials must be uploaded to NYSSEF Z-fairs website by January 31, 2025, 5 PM.
By January 31, 2025, 5 PM EST all ISEF adult sponsors/liaisons must confirm registration via Z-Fairs. FAILURE TO CONFIRM REGISTRATION WILL DISQUALIFY PROJECTS. Additional slots may be released at the discretion of the Registration Committee.
Paperwork and fees must be received by January 24, 2025, by 5 PM.
All Checks are to be made payable to NYSSEF, Inc.
All fees must accompany the NYSSEF Payment Form AND all participating students NYSSEF application forms.
There is a $30 charge for returned checks.
All students must be present for the awards ceremony, or they may forfeit their awards. NYSSEF ISEF division winners must remain for the awards ceremony and a mandatory meeting with the President and Fair Director immediately following. All Andromeda and Broadcom winners will attend an awards ceremony at a date and location to be determined.
Participants MUST comply with ALL NYSSEF ISEF rules, regulations and guidelines. Winners are eligible for local, regional, and national prizes. Top projects will be offered the opportunity to represent the state of New York at the 2025 Regeneron ISEF to be held in Columbus, OH. Students do not have to place (or win) in their Regional Fair in order for them to participate in the State Fair, as stated by the Intel ISEF: “Students may compete in only one ISEF Affiliated Fair (you should participate in your regional fair whenever possible), except when proceeding to a state/national fair affiliated with the NYSSEF ISEF from an affiliated regional fair.” Grades 9-12.
Fees: $200 per student. For students registered for NYSSEF and winning their regional fair, all but a $30 non-refundable application fee will be refunded if they choose not to participate in the State Fair.
NYSSEF reserves the right to deny any chaperone(s) or student(s) participation in any NYSSEF sponsored events if they fail to follow guidelines as established by the NYSSEF board of trustees!
Each school may enter up to 15 projects in the Andromeda Division. Participants developing their research and presentation skills, preparing a technical paper, or conducting a “work in progress” should apply to this division. The top presenters in each category will be eligible for local and state prizes and awards. Participants in this category must comply with NYSSEF ISEF rules, regulations, and guidelines. Grades 9-12. *Fee: $75 per student (includes lunch)
For students in 6th through 8th grade. Participants compete for local prizes. Society for Science announced a new sponsor for the national Junior High Competition- Thermo-Fisher, NYSSEF will nominate the winners for this competition. NYSSEF runs this middle school fair in order to promote excellence amongst young scientists. *Fee: $50 per student (includes lunch)