The Junior Division of DRSEF is a competitive event for 6th-8th graders. The Senior Division is a competitive event for 9th-12th graders. All participating students are required to register their projects through the STEM Wizard registration system and follow all the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Rules with the exception that instead of the ISEF forms, Junior Division will submit the Safety and Consent Form for Texas Middle School Science Fair Students.
Beal Bank awards cash prizes for 1st – 3rd place in each category judged, with 4th place awarded for larger categories. Junior Division prizes of up to $175 are awarded along with Senior Division prizes up to $300. Honorable Mentions are also awarded during Category judging. 1st and 2nd place winners in Senior Division and 1st place and 2nd place winners in Junior Division from Category judging advance to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair. The top ten percent of Junior Division are invited to enter Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, an international science fair for Middle School students. Invitations are issued after the fair. Winners and runners-up from the Grand Prize round in the Senior Division advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, with attendance sponsored by Beal Bank. Students may also be eligible to enter competitions such as Regeneron Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors affiliated with ISEF.
Helpful Links
The Dallas Fair follows Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) rules. Some useful guides are:
- ISEF Science Categories
- ISEF Display and Safety Regulations including board size
- ISEF Rules, Forms and Resources
- Society For Science Middle School Reference Guide
- Science scorecard example
- Engineering scorecard example
- Dr. Dalley’s Tip Sheet
What's Notable for 2024
We have a new registration system, STEM Wizard.
For the Junior Division, we have consolidated the ISEF paperwork into one form. Middle school students still need to follow ISEF rules, but they will only have one form that replaces the ISEF forms. Additional documentation may be necessary depending on the project.
No objects other than boards, binders, laptops/tablets and ISEF paperwork requirements are allowed in the exhibit hall. This means demonstration items are not allowed.
Once again, we will be in person at Centennial Hall at Fair Park. Students will need a physical display board. However, a virtual display board will still be required for judges to preview the projects. Students should use the project board template for their virtual display boards.
Home schools and students attending non-participating schools are allowed to participate. Please email drsef@smu.edu for more details. Registration must begin in STEM Wizard before December 15, 2023.