How to Qualify

To be eligible for the statewide Georgia Science & Engineering Fair (GSEF), Georgia students in grades 6-12 must:

Conduct STEM research in compliance with the International Rules for Pre-College Science Research; and
Compete in a school fair and be selected to advance to the appropriate GSEF-affiliated Regional Fair; and
Compete in the Regional Fair and be selected to advance to GSEF.

See Advancing from School & Regional Fairs for information about determining the appropriate school and Regional Fair.

A science fair student explaining his project to a judge

Qualifying Research

To be eligible for competition in a Regional Fair and GSEF, projects must follow the International Rules for Pre-College Science Research (“International Rules”), including completion of all required research forms and approvals.

Note the following:

Forms 1, 1A, 1B, 2A and a Research Plan are required for all projects. Forms 2B through 7 may be required depending on the type and setting of the research.
Projects involving any of the following must receive official approval from a Scientific Review Committee (SRC) / Institutional Review Board (IRB) before experimentation/survey/data collection begins:
- HUMAN PARTICIPANTS (including surveys)
- VERTEBRATE ANIMALS (including pets)
- POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS (including samples swabbed from common surfaces)
It is the responsibility of the student and supporting adults to know the International Rules and evaluate the project to determine which forms and approvals it will require.
None of the following adults may serve on the SRC/IRB reviewing the project or provide SRC/IRB approval signatures on forms: Adult Sponsor (often a teacher), Qualified Scientist, Direct Supervisor, or any parent/relative of the student.
Students are advised to consult with an SRC at their school or Regional Fair to ensure compliance with rules and completion of required forms.

Scientific Integrity: Students & Adults

The Georgia Science & Engineering Fair upholds the Society for Science’s principles of scientific integrity and Ethics Statement. Student researchers and their supporting adults are expected to hold themselves to the highest ethical standards and adhere to principles of honesty, transparency, and objectivity.

Scientific fraud and misconduct are prohibited.
Students must not fabricate data or images, plagiarize or present someone else’s work as their own.
Students must differentiate their own work from the work of others and cite sources.
Students must respect confidentiality and intellectual property.
Students’ supporting adults must ensure students adhere to above.

GSEF is committed to a fair and equitable competition for all participants. Attempts to bypass eligibility requirements or gain an unfair advantage may result in disqualification or other eligibility actions.

Team Projects

Students may do their research individually or as part of a team with up to three members. A team project may not be entered as an individual project, or vice versa, at any level of competition. All team members must meet GSEF eligibility. Teams may be represented at GSEF by one or more members; however, judges have the freedom not to consider a team if they have not had the opportunity to meet and interview all members.