Frequently Asked Questions

YES! Attendance is expected for Judging Day! Unfortunately, exceptions cannot be made.
The Awards Ceremony is optional, although it is highly suggested that you attend. Students in attendance can receive their recognition, financial awards, and special awards in person. In addition, awards are raffled at the Awards Ceremony which you must be present to win.
Read the Student Guide for helpful tips. We cannot allow any live organisms (this includes plants), no liquids (including water), anything potentially dangerous (hypodermic needles, disease organisms, etc.), anything of great monetary value, previous awards, business cards, anything large enough to infringe on another exhibitor’s space and live animals. Displays are not allowed to include photographs of people other than you. Use a sticker to cover the faces of anyone else in your photos. Also, be sure to have safety goggles on in any photos reflecting time spent in research.
Dress to impress! This is a great opportunity to mingle with business professionals in the fields of Science and Engineering as well as college and university representatives. First impressions are key! Business attire is appropriate.
Lunch will be served to all participating students, chaperones, speakers, career fair participants and judges. Dinner will be served for those participating in the Innovation in Action.

Students should be prepared to explain their projects to 3 different judges. Judges will be interested in hearing about your hypothesis, experimental design, data and conclusions. Judges may also ask you additional questions such as, “How did you think of this research project,” or “if you were to do this project again, what would you do differently,” or “if you could continue this research, what would you do next?” You may want to consider preparing a brief presentation in response to the question, “What did you do?” It can be helpful to outline a possible 3-4 minute explanation in advance but don’t memorize or set a speech. Graphs, pictures and models can be helpful in explaining the more complicated aspects of a project. A couple of hints-1) Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” (in other words, don’t try to fake it!) and 2) Relax!


Keep in mind judges study project reports before students arrive or after they leave and they will look at your log book and your backboard at those times. Don’t forget to introduce yourself to the judges in the beginning, shake their hands, and thank them for their time when the judging interview concludes. Students will remain with their projects during the entire judging time.
Reminder: Students ONLY during Judging-NO parents (or teachers please)

Elementary school judging between 10:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.
Middle school judging between 9:00 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.
High school students between 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Each category will have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner, as well as honorable mention awards. The over 50+ student projects will advance to the Georgia State Science and Engineering Fair in Athens, GA. In addition, top projects (min 3 – max 6 projects) will be chosen as the Grand Prize winners and advance directly to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Special Awards and scholarship awards will also be announced at the Special Awards Ceremony held after the Science Fair mid-March for top winners. 

Your school will give you specific information about getting to the Regional Science Fair. Project set-up is scheduled from 7:30am to 9:00am on the day of the fair.
Projects must be picked up by all participants immediately following the Awards Ceremony on the day of the Fair. If you are unable to attend the Awards Ceremony, be sure to make arrangements with a friend to pick up your project. Projects left behind may be discarded.
Two possible sources are the Science Fair Check-list and the Rules & Regulations.
The Gwinnett Regional Science Fair is affiliated with the Georgia State Science Fair and the Intel International Science Fair. The Regional Science Fair Advisory Board consists of business leaders, university faculty, science teachers, and GCPS administrators.
Yes! Some winners at the Regional Middle (20) and High (30) school level only, will qualify to enter the Georgia State Science Fair and three Grand Prize winners will be sent to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
On the day of the Fair, look for people wearing “Staff” name badges or STEM shirts and they can direct you to a director who can answer your question.