Project Categories
Each Division has slightly different categories, with specificity increasing with participant age.
BE SURE to take some time and decide in which category you would like to compete as a slight differentiation in your research approach could change your category; this becomes more and more of an issue the higher the Division in which you are competing. You should MAKE SURE that your background reading & project research include ALL necessary information to adequately prepare you for competition in your proper category!! For a simple example, let's say you have decided that you are interested in the topic of batteries. If you decide to investigate exactly how a battery works, then you would be in the Physical Science category; however, if you decide to see which battery performs the best in your remote-controlled car and endeavor to find out why, then your project would probably be classified in the Electrical Engineering category. Further, if you decide to investigate the possibility of a chemical-based battery (i.e., potatoes or lemons), you could find yourself in the Chemistry category.
Junior Division (7th & 8th Grade)
Our Junior Division categories are scaled to meet the needs of accommodating two classes -- 7th and 8th grades. If you are not sure where your chosen project would fit or if you have any other questions as to the classification of your chosen project, please contact
your science teacher.
Animal Sciences
Astronomy & Earth Sciences
Behavioral & Social Sciences
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Computer and Mathematical Sciences
Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical & Materials
Engineering: Energy & Transportation
Environmental Sciences
Medicine & Health Sciences
Microbiology
Physical Science
Plant Sciences
**Teams (maximum of 3 members per team) -- any of the categories listed above
Senior Division (9th-12th Grade)
Our Senior Division categories are in strict accordance with ISEF-accredited Fair offerings. Given below is a very "top-level" listing of these categories; however, you can view each category with all of the sub-categories by clicking
HERE. Please Note: Although we will endeavor to accommodate ALL 17 individual categories, some combination of two or more may occur based on BOTH the number of projects in a category AND the availability of an ample number of qualified judges for certain disciplines.
Animal Sciences
Behavioral & Social Sciences
Biochemistry
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Computer Sciences
Earth & Planetary Sciences
Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical
Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering
Engineering: Energy & Transportation
Environmental Management
Environmental Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
Medicine & Health Sciences
Microbiology
Physics & Astronomy
Plant Sciences
**Teams (maximum of 3 members per team) -- any of the categories listed above
