How to Get Advice From a Science Fair Winner

Why Learn From Someone Who's Already Won?

When it comes to science fair projects, few things are more valuable than guidance from someone who's been through it and come out on top. ScienceFair's mentors have walked the entire path, from the first spark of an idea to standing in front of a judge, and they bring that firsthand experience to every student they coach.

Here's what that looks like in practice.

Choosing the right project

A great project starts with the right question — one that's original, meaningful, and actually doable in the time you have. Mentors who've won help you find that sweet spot instead of burning months on an idea that won't hold up.

Managing your time

Research, experimentation, and documentation all compete for the same hours. Mentors share the systems that kept their own projects on track alongside school.

Making the most of your resources

Winning projects rarely come from the best-equipped labs — they come from students who found the right tools, mentors, and workarounds. Your coach helps you do the same.

Decoding what judges want

Mentors know what judging panels actually reward, where students lose points, and how to frame your project so its strengths land. That insider read is hard to get anywhere else and makes a big difference for you to qualify for ISEF.

Solving problems when things go wrong

Every serious project hits setbacks — a failed experiment, messy data, a constraint you didn't see coming. Mentors who've been there help you adapt instead of stall.

Presenting like a finalist

A brilliant project can fall flat without a strong presentation. Coaches help you build a clear, eye-catching display, explain complex work simply, and prepare for the tough questions judges ask.

Meet a Few of Our Mentors

Our team of mentors has excelled across the top STEM competitions. A few you could work with:

• Kara Gaiser is a two-time Grand Award winner. She's published her research in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and presented at the AIAA SciTech Conference.

• Siddhant Sood is a 1st Place Grand Award winner at ISEF, alongside national hackathon wins and federal research recognition. He has conducted AI and software research across public-sector, startup, and research environments.

• Pranav Reddy earned a 2nd Place Grand Award at ISEF, alongside national STEM honors and peer-reviewed conference publications.

• Eli Hanechak is a 2nd Place ISEF award winner in Microbiology and a Davidson Fellow Laureate. She's also a Top 300 STS Scholar and has a patent for her research.

Ready to Get Started?

Work one-on-one with a mentor who's competed in and won the competitions you're aiming for. They'll help you turn a promising idea into an award-worthy project.

Schedule a call with our academic advisor.