<p>I'm a sophomore now and I'm starting my research project. So here is my dilemna: Siemen's or ISEF?
ISEF:
- Need to qualify at a local fair
- There is no fair in my city (closest is 2.5 hours away)
- Due date is April</p>
<p>Siemen's:
- Need to be a senior for individual (why the heck do they have this rule?? :( )
- I have to find a partner if I want to enter my project
- Due date is October</p>
<p>Or should I enter both?</p>
<p>And out of curiosity (this won't sway my decision), which is easier to qualify for?</p>
<p>I would reccomend entering both, unless you don't want a partner, in which case you should enter Siemens as a senior and your ISEF qualifying fair now.</p>
<p>As for which one is harder to get into, Siemans accepts fewer participants, but has a smaller applicant pool (only US seniors not doing behavioral science projects), while ISEF is larger, but draws from all high school age kids in the entire world. I don't know how to compare them. Suffice to say that either is a major accomplishment.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info... I'll see if I can find a partner who will actually help. If so, I'll enter both... if not, I'll just enter ISEF this year...
My biggest problem with ISEF is that each of the regional fairs go by their own rules. For example, my project has to do with rocketry (and not the boring "what shape flies higher" - mine has to do with Transonic speeds), and the close st fair (2.5 hours away) says "NO ROCKETS" on its website while ISEF is okay with rockets. I tried emailing the fair "director" but got no reply...
And with ISEF, if your school does have a science fair and you win that, is that the same thing as winning a regional science fair?</p>
<p>And one more question - where can I learn how to write a full research paper (like the ones required for ISEF/Siemen's)? I don't even know all the parts (like abstract, data, etc). Maybe there's an example I can look at...</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. Sorry I'm a newb with all this stuff :)</p>
<p>^
In NC, one wins in school, then county, then regional, then state (and only two people from state go to ISEF) </p>
<p>Your biggest problem is Regional or State competitions run by a terrible college that is judged by professors in your category that are so stupid they don't understand anything you're saying, even though you're dumbing it down. That's what happened to me... everyone else from my county... including those I beat.... placed at Regionals... I didn't. </p>
<p>Just look up science fair help and you'll find Abstract/data/etc.</p>
<p>Thanks again :)
Is there another prestigious science fair? I'm really annoyed that Siemen's only take seniors :(</p>