How to Enter
SASEF is open to middle and high school students (grade 6-12) in a 23-county East Tennessee region (see below). Students in this region are eligible to present their scientific research from January of the previous year to February of the current year. A non-refundable fee is required for each participant (fee can range from $10-30 per student). Please review the below guidelines for a full understanding of SASEF participation. See all pictures from the event on our Facebook page.
Registration
SASEF has an online registration system to submit all required documents and forms. Registration will open on September 5th.
Judging Day Schedule
The 2024 Southern Appalachian Science & Engineering Fair is below.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
| Time | Details | Location |
| 8:00am – 12:00pm | Check-in / project set-up, students and teachers welcome to check-in within these hours | University of Tennessee, Knoxville Student Union 272 (Ballroom) |
| 12:00 – 1:00pm | Lunch on your own | N/A |
| 1:00 – 3:00pm | Potential UT campus tour for students and teachers | TBD |
| 3:00 – 5:00pm | Judging hours, students at their projects | University of Tennessee, Knoxville Student Union 272 (Ballroom) |
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
| Time | Details | Location |
| 6:00pm | 2024 SASEF Awards Ceremony | University of Tennessee, Knoxville Strong Hall, Room B1 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916 |
Entry Guidelines
In the Entry Guidelines packet, you will find the information needed to successfully participate in SASEF. Included are SASEF’s divisions, project categories, what you will need to submit for your entry packet, and SASEF rules for participation.
In-Person Display Guidelines
In the Display Guidelines Packet, you will find the information needed to successfully put together your exhibit on your scientific research. Information includes; rules for your exhibit space, what to include in your exhibit, and what to exclude from your exhibit.
At-Home Resources
In the age of COVID-19 and social distancing, use these resources to come up with creative at-home projects. Find inspiration, learn how to approach a scientist in a virtual world, learn experimental design or statistics, find sources of large data sets, learn how to use smartphones for data collection, find out more about coding and app creation, and more. There are also educator resources to choose from. Click here for resources from Society for Science. Also, from September through February join us for the free Virtual Science Club. Students, teachers, and parents are welcome to participate.
23-County Region
Any public, private, or home school student in the SASEF 23-county region may enter an exhibit at SASEF.
Timeline for Science Fair Projects
August – September:
- Student selects research topic, begins literature review in library
- Student creates a project account with the registration website
October:
- Student completes literature review (background research for report); writes hypothesis, objectives, and methods and materials; prepares data book; completes necessary paperwork such as human subjects forms
- SASEF Teacher Grants Due
November – December:
- Student completes experiment, analyzes data, writes report and abstract
January:
- Deadline for pre-approval paperwork that includes scientific reviews by SASEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC)
February:
- In-school fairs may be held at this time (if held after the Feb 27th deadline, then students qualify for the following year’s SASEF, not this year’s); winners selected to participate in SASEF
- Student completes data book
- Student uses the registration website to complete entry forms
- SASEF entry forms due at the end of February, and all paperwork issues must be resolved before the project is allowed at the fair
March/April:
- Student prepares poster, uploads digital poster, and practices for judge interviews
- SASEF judging is set for March 26, 2024, and will be hosted in the Student Union on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus
- SASEF award ceremony will be at a new location this year! It will be held on April 2, 2024. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Strong Hall Room B1, Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916
May:
- Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2024 will take place in Los Angeles, CA from May 11-17, 2024. Several students from SASEF will qualify and attend ISEF.