How to do well at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair with an engineering project?

Hi. The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is in two weeks. I’ve been working on my project for six months, and it’s still not completely developed yet. I do have working prototypes, but engineering projects take forever to finish because of testing, redesign, testing, ECT. My project has a small sample size, because it is a project for a group that’s doesn’t make up much of the population. Some things I’ve noticed is I get really nervous when I’m judged by more than two judges. When I was judged at district’s, the advice they gave me was this:

  • To increase my sample size (which I successfully did). -Feasibly of my project to be implemented in cites by things like production costs, efficiency, and material that resists against weather (Still working on that). -Adding onto the prototype (which I explained wasn't needed, because the thing they suggested already exists).

Since the Intel ISEF is in less than two weeks, it’s very likely I won’t have time to actually research all of the suggestions they made. I would be able to talk on the phone with people, but I will not be able to meet with them in person. (They just emailed me this stuff recently, even though my fair was almost two months ago…)

What are some tips for doing well with a project that is still in progress? What about thinking about weather resistant materials? Best way to present my project? (Everyone says that’s the deal-breaker.) I was talking to a previous ISEF finalist, and she said judges also try to ask you questions not relevant to your project to see if you really know what you’re doing. How do you prepare for things like that?

Also, what about patenting a project? My teacher suggested I do that before ISEF (as others might take my idea) and it might help me stand out. There is a similar product but it is in a different country, and has a different purpose, so therefore different design.

Engineers, I need your advice!

i would look into applying for a provisional patent and note in smaller print in your board provisional patent applied for. there are several isef awards for people who are patenting their work