No. 

Please watch the video about registration.

Gather the information needed to register.

Then click registration link

The Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH) is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that provides a unique and beneficial science educational service to junior and senior high school students in grades 6-12.

SEFH is open to all qualifying students,

independent of race, gender, religion,

country of origin or socio-economic status.

SEFH serves as the regional fair for all junior and senior high school

students in Harris County and 22 surrounding counties.

Major regional fair winners are eligible to compete

 in the annual

International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Through the development and presentation

 of science/engineering projects,

students enhance the following abilities:

1. Making observations
2. Asking questions regarding particular phenomena or situations
3. Formulating ideas and procedures for the solution of a problem
4. Using complex and/or analytical reasoning skills to find an answer or a solution to a problem
5. Effectively presenting their works to society
6.  

SEFH strongly believes in the importance of students learning how to apply their math and science knowledge beyond the classroom. The educational activities sponsored by SEFH complement the rapidly growing demand for students with technical skills. In addition, SEFH also sponsors a Science & Engineering Writing Contest and a Technical Poster Design Contest.

SEFH getting started

First Know this before you enter anything in STEM WIZARD

• Primary science teacher is your current science teacher
• Secondary teacher will be the campus coordinator at your campus
  • for QVMS it is Jeanette.Morales@fortbendisd.gov
• Complete the template for MS students first before you enter any information in STEM WIZARD 
• Know that your adult sponsor is your science teacher and email address
• Know your campus nurse and principal email address if you require approval for IRB (Internal Review Board)
• FORT BEND Registration link STEM WIZARD

 Rules and Guidelines

2026 RULE CHANGES, MODIFICATIONS, AND REMINDERS

The Science and Engineering Fair of Houston is aligned with the Texas Science and Engineering Fair of Houston as well as the International Science and Engineering Fair to ensure a smooth vertical transition between fair competitions. Please view the International Rules & Guidelines as well as the additional information below. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

Please note that that SEFH does have additional restrictions or requirements as indicated below. Knowledge of these requirements is the responsibility of the student and Adult Sponsor.

SEFH Changes/Reminders:

Signatures on Forms and Documents

• All required SEFH forms must be completed online through the STEM Wizard Portal. STEM Wizard does not allow the upload of forms or documents unless explicitly stated. Original signatures must be obtained through STEM Wizard’s Paperless Files and Forms system. For forms requiring signatures:
  • The signee will receive a secure link.
  • The signee opens the link and completes the required information.
  • The signee then saves the information, which is automatically recorded in the system.

  This digital signature process will be available for Safety and Consent Form for Texas Middle School Science Fair Students and other designated documents.

Form and Document Completion

• All required SEFH forms must be completed online through the STEM Wizard Portal. Uploading forms or documents is not permitted unless explicitly allowed by the system. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Project Board Display

• The maximum height of the project board at SEFH and TXSEF (including headers) is 64.4 inches (163.8 cm).
• At ISEF, the maximum project board height is 58.4 inches (148.2 cm). Recommendation is to follow this.

Photograph/Image Display Requirements

• The general statement “All photos/images and graphs were made by the student” is no longer acceptable on project boards.
  

  Graphics Created by the Student

  Each graphic must be individually cited with a clear statement, such as:

  • “Photo taken by Student, year”
  • “Image created by Student using [software/tool], year.”
  • “Graph created by Student using [software/tool], year.”
  • “Chart created by Finalist using [software/tool], year.”
  • “Data Table created by Student, year”
  • “Logo created by Student, year.”

  Graphics Not Created by the Student

  • Must be individually cited using APA format (preferred).
  • If sourced from the internet, a URL or DOI must be included—even if the license does not require attribution.

  Citation Placement

  • Citations must appear next to the graphic or in a vertically displayed reference list on the board.
  •  

For examples and formatting guidance, refer to the ISEF Display & Safety Graphic Credit Guidance document: D&S Graphic Credit Guidance document.

Individual and team projects

• Students may conduct a science project individually or in teams of up to three students.
• Team members must compete in the same division:
  • Junior Division: Grades 6–8
  • Senior Division: Grades 9–12
    Students on a team cannot be split across divisions.
• Students from different school districts are not allowed to form teams together. However, students in the same district at different schools are allowed.
• Team membership is fixed for the duration of the research year.
• Changes are only permitted under extenuating circumstances and must be reviewed and approved by the local Scientific Review Committee (SRC). This includes:
  • Converting a team project to an individual project
  • Converting an individual project to a team project
  • Replacing or removing a team member

Regeneron ISEF Rule Changes and Updates

• To view all updates to the ISEF rules and regulations, please visit the ISEF Rules and Guidelines page: https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/