Showcase Information

Student artwork from each elementary and middle school will be showcased at the R&D Forum. These projects do not need to be submitted via the entry form.

Art teachers will select the student art projects to be on display and curate their school's display.

Students and families will be notified prior to the event by their teacher if they will have artwork being showcased at the R&D Forum.

After the R&D Forum concludes, art teachers will take down the display and return the artwork to the student at a later date. 

Elementary and Middle School artwork will not be judged for awards but will receive recognition for participation. 

If you have any questions, please contact your school's art teacher.

High school students may enter their artwork into the R&D Forum for judging in the art competition. 

All high school art students entering projects for competition must submit the online entry form. 

In addition, high school art teachers may select a limited number of display only pieces to represent their school.  These pieces will not be judged for competition or awards.

All high school students entering pieces will be responsible for delivering their piece to their school art teacher prior to the event.  Art teachers will  be responsible for curating their school's display.

After the R&D Forum concludes, art teachers will take down the display and return the artwork to the student at a later date. 

• Ceramics (902)

• Drawing (903)

• Painting (904)

• Jewelry / Sculpture (905)

• Darkroom Photography (906)

• Graphic Design (907)

• Digital Photography (908)

• Portfolio (920)

All entries will receive a participation ribbon prior to the open house. 

Artwork entered for competition will be judged prior to the reception on Thursday, April 21, 2022.  Award Winners will be notified by way of email prior to the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 30, 2022. 

Judging Criteria

• Content (Elements of Art):  shows insight, knowledge, experience

• Structure (Principles of Design):  purposeful construction, craftsmanship

• Innovation (Visual “Voice”):  individual, original, genuine

High School Art Portfolio Rubric

Judged Categories - 

• Science Experimental Grades 4-6 (702)

• Science Experimental Grades 7-8 (707)

• Science Experimental Grades 9-12 Biotechnology (705)

• Science Experimental Grades 9-12 Open (706)

• Science Inventions Grades 4-6 (710)

• Science Inventions Grades 7-8 (711)

• Science Inventions Grades 9-12 (712)

Display Only Categories (will not be judged) -

• Science Showcase (Any Grade) Display  (722)

• Sustainability Projects - Display Only (410)

• Innovative Displays / Elementary non-science -415

• Elementary PLTW Displays -420

This category is an entry that describes experimental investigations.  For grades 7-12, each entry should include a Lab Report that follows the detailed scientific method and a digital display or a tri-fold display board. 

Experimental Rubric

This category is an entry that displays a unique and useful creation. 

Invention Rubric

Students in grades 4-8 are prohibited from entering projects that involve the use of vertebrate animals in the experiments or testing of the project.  Human subjects are an exception.  The International Rules for Human Subjects must be followed.  Students in grades 9-12 are allowed to use both vertebrate animals and human subjects.  The students must follow the guidelines of the International Rules for Pre-college Science Research.  

English: https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2024/Rules/Book.pdf 

Spanish: https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2023/Rules/Spanish-Book.pdf

Only students in grades 7-12 may enter bacteria culture studies. Proper safety protocols must be utilized and included in the procedure. Studies should take place in a laboratory or classroom supervised by a teacher or a microbiologist.  Bacteria and mold studies are not allowed to be conducted in the student’s home.   Bacteria or mold cultures must be disposed of properly.    Bacteria or mold cultures should not be included in the display.   The students must follow the guidelines of the International Rules for Pre-college Science Research. 

English: https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2024/Rules/Book.pdf 

Spanish: https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2023/Rules/Spanish-Book.pdf

Students at any grade level may submit showcase projects for display only.  These projects will not be judged. Students will be recognized for their participation with a certificate and ribbon.

Categories available for submission include Science Showcase, Environmental Sustainability Projects, Other Innovative Displays, and Elementary PLTW Displays.