Winning a Grand Award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) isn't about having the most expensive lab equipment or the most complex code. 

Many students spend months polishing their slides and posters. Then, they arrive at ISEF and watch top prizes go to projects that look simpler on the surface, but are far deeper underneath.

That happens because judges look for students who have become budding scientists, not the one with the fanciest methodologies or most robust results. You must show the ISEF judges that you are a mature scientist doing well thought-through scientific research. 

I’m Shanay Desai, a two-time ISEF competitor, a PhD researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, and a ScienceFair mentor.

In this article, I break down what makes a successful ISEF project. If you prefer, you can also watch the webinar I presented on this topic.

Understanding Originality at ISEF

Judges don’t expect you to solve climate change or cure cancer. To be original, you should find a 1% gap in the current research and build on relevant research.

So, when you present your project, don’t just say your model aids water conservation. Clarify that it offers a 15% more accurate predictive tool and that it will help civil engineers in drought-prone areas where options are currently scarce.

How to establish your niche and impact:

• Move from broad to specific: Narrow your topic until you find a mechanism or claim that hasn't been fully documented. For instance, a technique that has been tested on one plant type rather than another.

• Identify the stakeholder: Ask yourself, "Who would use this data tomorrow morning?"

• Focus on efficiency: Adapting a process to be 20% more cost-effective or faster is a high-level contribution.

Hidden Weaknesses in ISEF Projects

A common hidden weakness that kills many projects during judging is a lack of statistical rigor.

When working in a wet lab setting, finding a pattern once is just a simple trend. When you repeat this experiment three separate times across independent trials, then you have statistical significance. This level of scientific rigor is what separates a mediocre project from ISEF-level research.

Ways to demonstrate scientific rigor:

• The Power of Three: Aim to run the experiment from scratch three times (n=3). That way, you should have at least three independent biological replicates across all data sets.

• Low Standard Deviation: Show that your results are consistent across all trials, not just an average of one good run and two bad ones.

A Common Mistake Students Make: Hiding Negative Results

One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to hide data that didn't support their hypothesis. 

A “failed” experiment is actually a hidden gift during judging. It gives you the best possible opportunity to demonstrate scientific reasoning and next steps. Explaining why the data didn't go as planned is often more impressive to an ISEF judge than showing a perfect, expected curve.

How to handle "failed" data:

• Be transparent: Present the negative results clearly on your poster or optional materials.

• Analyze the anomaly: Explain the physics or logic behind why the result deviated. Did a variable interact unexpectedly? Did the anomaly introduce a new confounding variable?

• Show the pivot: Explain how that negative result informed your next experimental step or future directions.

How to Answer ISEF Judges’ Questions

ISEF judges intentionally ask difficult questions to see how you think under timed pressure. The biggest mistake students make is giving simple excuses like "I didn't have time" or "My lab didn't have that equipment." 

To be competitive, you must replace these excuses with scientific trade-offs. You need to show the judge that you considered the alternative and made a conscious, logical choice to exclude it.

How to handle difficult judging questions:

• Acknowledge the alternative: Start by explaining that you considered the variable or model the judge mentioned.

• Explain the trade-off: Detail how that alternative might have introduced confounding variables or hidden your original mechanism.

• Hypothesize with logic: If you don't know a fact, use structured reasoning: "I haven't tested that specifically, but based on my data regarding [Variable A], I would hypothesize [Result B] because..."

Demonstrating Ownership of Your Project

Judges want to see that you led your own independent project with appropriate levels of supervision. To show you weren't just following your mentor, highlight specific decisions you made. When you perform the research yourself, judges recognize your deeper knowledge and greater confidence.

Signs of a student-owned project:

• The "I" Statement: Use "I" instead of "we" or "my mentor."

• The Decision Flowchart: Use your poster to visually show the Iterative Loop: Hypothesis 1 → Failure/Data → Adjustment → Hypothesis 2.

• Visual Evolution: Show prototypes or earlier versions of your code to indicate a multi-year iteration that is yours truly.

What Judges Really Look For at ISEF

At the end of the day, a winning performance shows scientific reasoning. Judges want students who think on their feet and connect their work to a broader context. When you treat the judging round as a conversation between two scientists instead of a rehearsed skit, you can turn a strong project into an award-winning one.

Another key aspect of award-winning projects is your attitude during the fair. Arrive at ISEF on time, dressed comfortably and professionally. Be respectful to judges and fellow students. Your attitude can make a big difference in winning an award.

Remember that judges want to meet the person behind the project. Trust the work you have done, speak honestly about your choices, and let your curiosity guide the conversation. When you show up with confidence, humility, and genuine passion for your scientific work, the judging experience becomes less about winning and more about being recognized as a scientist in the making!

Preparing for ISEF with ScienceFair

Preparing for ISEF can feel overwhelming, especially if you're navigating it alone. You're suddenly expected to think like a researcher, communicate like a scientist, and present like a professional.

At ScienceFair, other mentors and I coach students going through this process. If you want targeted feedback on your project, help with abstracts, technical development, or judging strategy, learning from mentors who've been through ISEF can save you months of trial and error.

Schedule a consultation call to connect with one of our team members and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.