Rules

Registration and Guidelines

Eligibility

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 Broadcom 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!!

Three Ways to Register

  1. Individual schools may register a maximum of 10 projects for the NYSSEF ISEF Division and 15 projects for Andromeda and 10 projects for Broadcom.
  2. When applicable, students may choose to enter directly as an independent. The student, not the school or Regional Fair, is responsible for registration and fees. Students who are home-schooled, from non-affiliated regions, or from private or parochial schools are ideal candidates for this method of registration.
  3. Regional Fairs may reserve up to 10 slots for projects that the Regional Fair wants to sponsor in the NYSSEF ISEF Division. The Regional Fair is responsible for the fees associated with slots that they reserve. Students may NOT register for the State Fair after the final round of their Regional Fair unless they are sponsored by the Regional Fair.

Registration Dates and Deadlines

NYSSEF- On-line registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis starting Dec. 11, 2023 until February 9, 2024 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 February 26, 2024, 5 PM.

‍By Feb. 27, 2024, 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 March 1, 2024, 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.


NYSSEF ISEF Division

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 2024 Regeneron ISEF to be held in Los Angeles, CA. 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, 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!

Andromeda Division

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 and NYSSEF t-shirt)

Broadcom Division

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- Broadcom Masters, 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 and NYSSEF t-shirt)