Sponsors, Let’s Get Science Fair Ready

Students need the support of a sponsor to complete a project. Make sure you review the Reference Guide for detailed information you need to follow to participate. 

For project submission, sponsors must completeSTEMWIZARD, the official registration process for entering a project. 

Participation Requirements

• Registration Fees:   $50 per eligible grade per building up to 10 projects – additional projects $15 each

• Commitment to provide TWO judges from each school for judging day

• Provide ONE volunteer from each school to help with the fair activities

• Meeting all established deadlines.

• EITC Letter of support from public schools –review sample letter.

• Sponsors are given additional days after the student deadline to review entries.

• Sponsors are expected to review all student entries and check for legibility, signatures, and completeness.  Review the required ISEF forms as described in the ISEF Forms Section and make sure all uploaded forms are completely visible.

• This is especially important for the “Submission for Judges Review” Milestone.  These will not be edited by CASEF.  It is the first impression the student makes with the judges who are reviewing the project.  Spelling, grammar, word usage, etc. make that first impression. 

• It is the sponsor’s responsibility to review the Judges’ Brief and be sure it is compliant with the rules.

IMPORTANT Registration is not complete until the CASEF School Inventory Form is submitted by the deadline and all milestones are completed in STEMWIZARD. 

Download Inventory Form.

The school registration fee is $50 per eligible grade in the building, and will cover ten (10) projects. Up to seven (7) additional projects may be added at the rate of $15/project if space permits. 

Please download the school registration form.

Please keep this in mind as the school payments are prepared.  Note extra projects on the school inventory.  Payment will be due upon acceptance. Please note the fee is per PROJECT not per student – a group project counts as ONE project. An invoice is available here for business office use. If paying with a credit card, please request an invoice from director@casef.org.  Payments may be made with a credit card online. Please remember an administrator signature is required. Young Scholar's fee is $15 per project.

Registration Fee Policy

• Registration fees must be paid prior to participation.  Students from schools who have not made payment will be disqualified and any award(s) rescinded.

• Registration fees provided by donors will not be recognized as payment if school fails to meet published deadlines.

• The recipient school(s) will become responsible for registration fee(s). IF a deadline extension is granted, a signed, written acknowledgement by school administration of a deadline extension, fee responsibility and payment will be required for reinstatement.

• Donated registration fees will be applied to general operations or returned to donor.

• Registration fees are non-refundable and will not be carried over for future participation.

• Paid registration fees are NOT a guaranteed acceptance and/or participation.  If deadlines are missed and/or participation status changes due to failure to comply with participation rules and requirements, the registration fees may be forfeited.

A project may fit into multiple categories. Review the category descriptions and rubrics carefully to determine the appropriate fit.

Download category descriptions.

Consider this progression to determine which category is appropriate for the project:

Science (possible) > Applied Science (doable) > Engineering (feasible, economical) > Technology (can do, done).

All projects must complete forms: 1, 1A, 1B, and 3. Be mindful of the dates on these forms and that signatures are obtained BEFORE the start date of the experiment on form 1A.

Some projects will require a Form 2 if there is a designated supervisor or qualified scientist.

 If the project is conducted at a research institution, form 1C is needed to obtain prior approval from the research institution. The Project will not be approved without a letter from the institution stating it received approval from their board.

Form 3 cannot have “NA” or “none” in any answer. The researcher must state minimal risk and include a way to minimize the risk and a DISPOSAL plan!!

Go to the ISEF website for the forms needed:   https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef-forms  Forms for the upcoming fair year must be used.

Watch this video for further assistance on ISEF forms.

Special Forms:

• Vertebrates Form

• Human Participants Form

• Hazardous Chemicals form

• Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents PHBA Rules Form

Please download and review this presentation to review what was covered in the 2025 kick-off meeting.

Download.