Science and STEM fairs

The packet is due before the project exists. The fair is not.

ISEF paperwork is supposed to happen before experimentation. An event platform is a terrible first door: many students never compete, so they will not create a fair account just for SRC. Most fairs then only review forms at registration, after the work is done.

1
Start with no fair — isef.app

Free. No event account. Guided packet, signatures, download. For students who may never attend your gym.

2
Or start in zFairs without joining the roster

Register, work the forms. They are not added to the event until they submit the project. Your participant list stays real.

3
Teacher marks ready · SRC reviews

Status colors, missing-form codes, short codes. Electronic or wet signatures. ISEF wizard or your own forms.

4
Then the fair

Judging, display and safety, special awards, awards night. Promote to state if you are linked. They do not advance onto Regeneron ISEF through zFairs.

The challenge

Paperwork calendar vs event calendar. SRC capacity. Restricted research. Special-award judges vs grand awards. Minors and school records — FERPA and COPPA, not HIPAA.

What we use here

ISEF Wizard, submit-to-enter, teacher dashboard, judging assignments, virtual interviews, floor plan, certificates, companion app. Paperwork catalog

Fairs already on zFairs

Twin Cities Regional Science Fairs. Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair. Minnesota Academy of Science. WESEF. VSSEF. Recommended by Society for Science.

“What zFairs has been able to do in four weeks is truly amazing.”

Timara Underbakke, Director, Twin Cities Regional Science Fairs