If you're a high school student on Long Island with a passion for STEM, the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) is your chance to shine.

This competition is a golden opportunity to showcase your innovative projects, meet like-minded peers, and move on to even bigger competitions like ISEF!

Here’s everything you need to know about LISEF, from its set-up to winning strategies!

What is LISEF?

The Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) is a premier regional competition that serves as a critical platform for middle and high school students in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, to present and showcase their original research in STEM!

By participating in LISEF, students get the opportunity to demonstrate their research skills, creativity, and critical thinking to a panel of judges comprised of local scientists, engineers, and educators.

This competition not only fosters a spirit of scientific inquiry and innovation among young students but also opens doors to further opportunities.

Qualifiers from LISEF may advance to state, national, and even international levels, including prestigious events like the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)!

Qualification: Participation in the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) is open to students from Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, who have conducted their own original research projects.

Entry into the fair is competitive, requiring students to first submit their research proposals for approval.

Once accepted, students have the opportunity to compete at LISEF, showcasing their work to a panel of judges composed of professionals from various STEM fields.

Categories: LISEF encompasses a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines, allowing students to submit projects in categories ranging from environmental science, engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, to computer science, and more.

This wide range of categories ensures that students can find a niche that perfectly matches their research interests and strengths.

Competition: At the fair, participants present their research findings through detailed display boards and oral presentations.

Judges assess the projects based on criteria such as originality, scientific thought/method, thoroughness, skill, and clarity.

The competition fosters an environment of academic excellence, pushing students to achieve their best.

LISEF has been a launching pad for many students who have gone on to achieve national and international acclaim.

Winners and high achievers at LISEF often qualify for the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), where they compete with some of the brightest young minds globally.

Natasha Kulviwat from Jericho, New York exemplifies this, winning LISEF in previous years and going on to win the $50,000 Gordon E.

Moore ISEF grand prize.

Alumni of LISEF have pursued successful careers in STEM fields, and Natasha herself will be in the Harvard graduating class of 2028!

Qualifying School Selection or Regional Competitions Middle school and high school students can qualify for LISEF by winning top honors in their school's own science fair or by excelling in a LISEF-affiliated regional competition.

Schools typically select their top projects based on criteria aligned with LISEF standards.

Project Submission Qualifying students must submit comprehensive project documentation for review.

This includes an abstract, research paper, and any required safety and ethical approval forms, all of which should be uploaded to the LISEF portal.

Review and Approval Projects undergo a rigorous review by the LISEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC) to ensure they meet all safety and ethical guidelines.

Students must address any feedback or requests for clarification promptly to secure approval.

Registration Once approved, students officially register for the LISEF through the event's online registration system, completing any additional requirements and paying the participation fee.

How to WIN Achieving victory at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) not only showcases exceptional scientific research but also demonstrates effective project presentation skills.

Here’s the basic strategy layout tailored to help you stand out. https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=sqfzvvn2GY0 If you want some more tips (or just prefer your content in video form), be sure to check out this step-by-step guide from Rishab Jain, ISEF grand prize winner and current Harvard student.

Forming Your Idea Choosing a project topic that really interests you and brings new ideas or solutions to your field is key.

When you pick a subject you're passionate about, it shows in your work and can lead to innovative approaches that catch the attention of judges and peers.

Think about problems in your field that haven't been solved yet or areas where there's room for improvement.

By focusing on these, you can develop a project that not only stands out for its creativity but also makes a real contribution to science or engineering.

This approach not only enhances the quality of your project but also makes the research process more enjoyable and personally rewarding.

Prepare Early Starting your project early is super important.

You'll want to begin planning and researching way ahead of when it's actually due.

This gives you plenty of time to really dig into your topic and make your project as good as it can be.

By starting early, you're not just rushing to finish; you're making sure you understand your project inside and out.

This extra time lets you explore your project more deeply, tweak things that aren't working, and really polish everything up.

Plus, it's a lot less stressful than trying to do everything at the last minute.

Make sure you’ve given your project the time and attention it needs to shine.

Choose Your Category Wisely!

Carefully choose a LISEF category that best matches your project’s scope and objectives.

Stay updated with the current year’s categories and criteria!

Some of the most popular categories are biomedical engineering, behavioral and social sciences, health sciences, computational biology, and engineering mechanics.

Cover Your Bases The official judging rubric has six main components: research question, design and methodology, execution, creativity, and presentation (visual and oral).

To do well at LISEF, it's important to know what the judges are looking for.

They want to see projects that are original, well-researched, follow the scientific method closely, and are presented clearly and engagingly.

Focus your efforts on meeting these criteria by conducting in-depth research, carefully planning and executing your experiments, and preparing a presentation that clearly explains your work and its significance.

Make sure you’re checking all of these boxes when designing your project!

Develop Your Presentation Skills Enhancing your presentation skills is essential for success at not just LISEF, but any science fair.

The ability to articulate your research findings in a clear and engaging manner is paramount, and doing repeated practice sessions will not only bolster your confidence but also refine your delivery.

Meticulously rehearse your presentation multiple times prior to the fair, ensuring that you can convey the significance and implications of your work effectively!

Know the Material Knowing your project really well is important for giving a confident presentation and answering any questions the judges might have.

When you're familiar with every part of your work, from the big ideas to the small details, you can talk about it more clearly and respond to questions easily.

This shows the judges that you've put a lot of effort into your project and know what you're talking about, and spending time to fully understand your project will allow you to have good discussions about your research and answer any questions!

Enthusiasm and Engagement Showing real excitement about your project can make a big difference in how people react to it.

When you talk about your work with passion, it catches and keeps the judge’s attention and makes them more interested in what you have to say.

Being enthusiastic not only shows that you care deeply about your work, but it also makes your presentation more enjoyable and engaging for everyone listening!

Need some help?

So, you want to get involved in science fairs, but don’t know where to start.

We’ve got you: take a look at Rishab’s FREE STEM STUDENT GUIDE full of straightforward, practical advice tailored for students aiming to step into the science fair arena and take their projects all the way to internationals.

This guide offers tips on planning and conducting research, presenting your project, and how to get yourself stellar opportunities in the STEM world.

Whether you're troubleshooting a tricky part of your project or looking for ways to present your conclusions more persuasively, Rishab can help you take your research and presentations to new heights!.