Overview of Materials
All materials are to be uploaded via zFairs. Student and Project registration, application review, and application approval for the competition will take place via zFairs.
The ISEF forms constitute written documentation of what will occur, or in some cases, has already occurred, in a research project. They are designed to provide the information that is needed to review the project to ensure compliance with the ISEF rules and with laws and regulations that apply to the project. The forms should be filled out and signed before any research takes place. (Only Forms 1C, 5B, 7, and the abstract are done after the research.) The dates of the signatures reflect when approval or consent is given. Use MM/DD/YY format for all dates.
A complete application has safety forms, an abstract, a research plan, a research paper, a project video, and a quad chart.
Terra NYC STEM Fair Rules and Forms
The Terra NYC STEM Fair's mission is to celebrate and showcase the innovation of NYC’s high school scholars conducting STEM research, and to foster connections among them and their advocates.
Terra NYC brings together talented young people creating an undeniable, expansive impact on the STEM landscape of New York City. Sitting in a unique position between education and career exploration, students converge at a STEM event that fosters and supports an air of excitement around research and science communication. Our work with teachers supports their work in cultivating student research within and outside of traditional laboratory settings by elevating demonstrations or simple classroom activities to high-level research projects.
The Terra NYC STEM Fair is the only student science research exhibition event in the five boroughs affiliated with Regeneron ISEF. The winners, our Terra NYC ISEF Finalists, advance to represent the region at the Regeneron ISEF and compete with 1,800 students from around the world. As a channel for high school students, Terra NYC populates and generates momentum for STEM academic pathways and career trajectories. Using Terra NYC as their first step toward STEM careers, they explore their passions and establish connections that can launch them as true visionaries.
Animal Sciences
This category includes all aspects of animals and animal life, animal life cycles, and animal interactions with one another or with their environment. Examples of investigations included in this category would involve the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals, animal ecology, animal husbandry, entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, and herpetology, as well as the study of animals at the cellular and molecular level which would include cytology, histology, and cellular physiology.
Behavioral & Social Sciences - Neuroscience
Studies of the neural basis of cognitive processes, including learning and memory, language and thought, perception, attention, and affect. It investigates the human brain, from the functional organization of large-scale cerebral systems to microscopic neurochemical processes.
Behavioral & Social Sciences- Psychology/Sociology
The science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment studied through observational and experimental methods.
Biochemistry and Chemistry
The study of the chemical basis of processes occurring in living organisms, including the processes by which these substances enter into, or are formed in, the organisms and react with each other and the environment.
Also, studies exploring the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter not involving biochemical systems.
Cellular and Molecular Biology
This is an interdisciplinary field that studies the structure, function, intracellular pathways, and formation of cells. Studies involve understanding life and cellular processes specifically at the molecular level.
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Studies that primarily focus on the discipline and techniques of computer science and mathematics as they relate to biological systems. This includes the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavior, and social systems.
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Studies of the environment and its effect on organisms/systems, including investigations of biological processes such as growth and life span, as well as studies of Earth systems and their evolution. The study of sciences related to the planet Earth (Geology, minerology, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, speleology, seismology, geography, atmospheric sciences, etc.)
Engineering
The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, processes, and systems. Studies that focus on the science and engineering that involve movement or structure. The movement can be by the apparatus or the movement can affect the apparatus.
Mathematical Sciences
The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract constructs, or structures.
Medicine and Health Sciences
This category focuses on studies specifically designed to address issues of human health and disease. It includes studies on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention or epidemiology of disease and other damage to the human body or mental systems. Includes studies of normal functioning and may investigate internal as well as external factors such as feedback mechanisms, stress or environmental impact on human health and disease.
Microbiology
The study of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes as well as antimicrobial and antibiotic substances.
Physics and Space
Physics is the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.
Plant Sciences
Study of plant life, including their structure and function, life history, growth, interactions with other plants and animals, classification, and evolution.
Software & Robotics
The study or development of software, information processes or methodologies to demonstrate, analyze, or control a process/solution. Includes studies in which the use of machine intelligence is paramount to reducing the reliance on human intervention.
Project Judge Criteria Guide
A. Creative Ability
1. Are the project topic and questions original? (Does the student have a clear rationale for designing his/her project? Does the student add to current theories or take them in a new direction?)
2. Does the student display ingenuity in his/her approach to problem solving? (Consider the project design, interpretation and analysis data, conclusions.)
3. Does the student possess understanding of the significance of his/her research, both in terms of academic significance and if possible, broader applications?
B. Scientific Thought
1. Is the problem stated clearly and unambiguously?
2. Are the research questions and/or hypotheses based on sufficient background information?
3. Are the methods, variables, and controls (if needed) appropriate to answer the research questions?
4. Does the student understand any limitations or ambiguities of the data, or unexpected results?
5. Does the student have ideas for future research that would build on his/her findings?
C. Thoroughness
1. Is the scope of the project appropriate for this competition?
2. Was the purpose of the project carried out to completion within the scope of the original intent, or are any changes to the original project based on a logical rationale?
3. Are conclusions based on sufficient data or should more data have been generated?
4. Did the student conduct a thorough literature search and use scientific as well as popular sources?
5. Is the student aware of the other theories and approaches that they could have applied to their project? Does the student have a rationale for the approach they decided to use?
D. Presentation Skills
1. Does the student discuss their purpose, procedure, and conclusions with full comprehension and fluidity?
2. Is written material clear, orderly, and all-inclusive? Does it reflect a level of skill appropriate to the students’ grade level?
3. Is the project display/video well organized and easy to follow?
4. Are the expected sections complete (abstract, introduction, material/methods, results, discussion, conclusion, references), carefully thought out, and well presented? (Consider the visual representation of data, conciseness of written material, and the overall excellence of the display).
For Teams:
Teamwork
1. Are tasks and contributions of each member clearly outlines?
2. Was each member fully involved with the project?
3. Does the final work reflect coordinated efforts of all team members?