The Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair (GCRSEF) is an annual regional fair hosted at the Sage and Walker Labs of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. It is affiliated with both the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the STANYS Science Congress. At GCRSEF, middle and high school students present original STEM research to scientists and engineers. There is a junior division for grades 6-8 and a senior division for grades 9-12.
Many prizes are awarded to winners in both divisions, including cash awards, as well as a $50,000 Scholarship. Grand prize finalists in the Junior and Senior Division may be eligible to compete in the STANYS State Science Congress. The top three senior division projects are invited to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. The top 4-6 junior division projects are invited to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC).
Location(s)
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
Schedule
- January through March
Cost/Compensation
- $40.00 non-refundable fee
Eligibility Requirements
- Students in grades 6 through 12
- Must attend a school in the Eastern Section of STANYS: Albany, Columbia, Greene, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, Warren, and Washington counties
Deadline
- January
Application or Entry Requirements
- Every student must have a teacher sponsor in the school where he/she is enrolled
- All students in the junior division must have a chaperone
- Projects with human subjects (including surveys) require prior SRC/IRB approval
- Sponsors may help in planning and advising, but parents, teachers, or friends may not design, conduct, or build the project
- Students may not display a group project from a previous competition as an individual project
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a private research university located in Troy, New York. Recognized for its emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, RPI offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. Founded in 1824, Rensselaer currently has more than 450 full-time faculty members, 8,000+ students, and over 110,000 living alumni.
