WHAT’s NEW and/or CONTINUING for 2026 SEFMD and MSEF (8/21/2025)

* We have migrated our database from our existing site to zFairs. Consequently, the process of affiliating a school, signing up teachers (and judges), and having students register has totally changed. See the link on the Resources page of the website for the directions.

* The entry fee will be $25/project (individual or team) for ALL projects. The school affiliation fee will be $75/school. This fee will be discounted to $25/school IF:

(1) the school affiliates by December 1, 2025; AND

(2) the school commits to providing volunteers during the week of the Fair. Volunteers are needed on Project Set-up Day (Tuesday, March 17, 2026), Judging Day (Wednesday, March 18, 2026), and Public Viewing/Project Removal Days (Thursday & Friday, March 19 and 20, 2026).

* The 2026 SEFMD and 2026 MSEF will be in-person fairs. Students will prepare a project display board that will be brought to Huntington Place (for the SEFMD) and used for the final round of judging as well as displayed for public viewing. (See “What’s Due When” for detailed information.)

* Students have the option of submitting additional materials online, as has been done for the past several years. This may include a pdf presentation, video presentation, photographs, quad chart, etc. Some professional award organizations will judge projects using only the uploaded material and will not judge projects in person. Any optional materials need to be submitted by the entry deadline specified on the calendar. (See “What’s Due When” for detailed information.)

* Categories have been modified for 2026. The complete list of the modified categories is available on the website under Entry Info à Category Descriptions.

* 3rd-5th graders may again enter the Science Fair. Students may carry out individual projects or work in groups of 2-10 students. The categories and specific requirements for elementary student projects can be found on the science fair website.

* Projects will be checked for Display and Safety Violations, both on line and in person. All materials submitted on line by February 20, 2026 will be checked and if there are any problems (for example, student name is included or there are inappropriate photos), the student will receive an email and be allowed to correct the violation within 24 hours (before judging occurs). During the project set-up day (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) at Huntington Place, project display boards will be checked again for any possible display and safety violations.

* The total allowed height of the display board (floor to top) may not exceed 96”. Table height is 36”.