Registration Questions
What costs are associated with registration?
Contestant fee: $50 per student on or before the March 16 deadline. A late fee of $25 will be added after the deadline. Students will NOT be prompted to pay at initial registration, but will be issued an invoice. There will be a payment link on the email confirmation after registering that will allow parents/students to pay directly if they are not being paid for by a school/district. No cash or personal checks will be accepted as payment methods. No refunds will be given; please check with school/district to coordinate payment. Payments submitted without proper documentation will be RETURNED to sender. Documentation (attached invoice or confirmation number) MUST accompany payment.
Can I pay the day of the fair ?
No, you cannot pay the day of the fair.
What is the deadline to update Scienteer?
The deadline to update and complete information in Scienteer is March 11, 2020. Project changes within Scienteer must be done while confirming information. Once finalists have confirmed their information in Scienteer, they will not be allowed to make any changes. Updating Scienteer is not the same as registering for TXSEF. These are hard deadlines with no exceptions. ABSOLUTELY NO EXTENSIONS will be allowed. Students who arrive at the fair without having registered will not be allowed to compete.
How do you register for TXSEF?
All student finalists competing at the state Texas Science and Engineering Fair MUST advance from one of the Texas regional fairs. No exceptions! Registration for student finalists begins after students have confirmed information in Scienteer. The last screen (please see photo below) in Scienteer will have a big red/orange button that students will need to click to be directed to the TXSEF registration.
Student finalists should contact their regional fair coordinators if there are questions about how to register to compete in the state fair. The last day for student registration is March 16, 2020. Parent and/or legal guardian will need to assist students during registration for the medical and media release portion. Failure to do so, will disqualify your participation in the Texas Science & Engineering.
Students MUST complete TXSEF Registration to participate in the State Fair. No student will be allowed to participate if registration is not completed March 16, 2020. Parent and/or legal guardian will need to assist students during registration for the medical and media release portion. Failure to do so, will disqualify your participation in the Texas Science & Engineering Fair.
How does a school pay for multiple students?
If a school is covering registration fees for its students please contact us at TXSEF registration or Toll Free (855) 919-0951 Payments submitted without documentation will be RETURNED to sender. Documentation (invoice, registration confirmation, etc.) MUST accompany payment.
Venue & Event Questions
What is the schedule for the weekend?
The most up-to-date schedule can be found at https://txsef.tamu.edu/schedule/.
Where is the Texas Science & Engineering Fair (TXSEF)?
TXSEF is being hosted by Texas A&M University on March 29-30, 2019. The Senior division will take place at the Hall of Champions (161 Wellborn Rd, College Station, TX 77840) located inside Entry 3 on the west side of Kyle Field. The Junior division will take place at the All-American Club, which is on the second floor above the Hall of Champions, access via Entry 3 on the west side of Kyle Field.
What is Night at the ZACH?
A Night at the ZACH is a Friday night (March 27) extravaganza for anyone attending TXSEF. The College of Engineering will open the doors to the Zachry Engineering Education Complex from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., and guests will experience fun-filled activities, building tours and more.
- Event parking is available in lot 50 and lot 51, but buses will need to park along the north curb of New Main Drive. This location also allows a large number of buses to line up along the curb for parking, and if they space themselves correctly, easy in-and-out access. Bus pick-up and drop-off is available in front of Wisenbaker on Bizzell Street.
Where can I get food?
Texas A&M University has many different dining options, There will also be food options at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center. Under no circumstances is food allowed in the venues at any time.
How will traffic be and where do I need to park for the fair?
On Friday, March 29, traffic should be normal, but all day on Saturday, March 28, expect delays and heavy traffic. There are multiple events happening on campus throughout the day on Saturday, so plan to arrive early.
- Fair participants can park at the new Cain Garage, which is connected to the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center just north of Kyle Field. Other options are West Campus Parking Garage and University Center Parking Garage.
- On Friday, March 29, buses can drop off students in lot 62 (159 Wellborn Rd, College Station, TX 77840) but will need to park along Throckmorton Street.
- On Saturday, March 28, 2020 anyone planning to park in West Campus Garage will need to do so via George Bush and Olsen since John Kimbrough Blvd will be closed from Wellborn to Olsen.
My child has special needs or needs for special accommodations. Who do I talk to?
Any special needs or needs for special accommodations MUST have been included during the child’s registration. If it was not noted during registration, have your child’s teacher reach out to the fair director as soon as possible. If a need arises during the fair, please visit the hospitality/information booth in the Hall of Champions or All-American Club. We will make every effort to ensure students have access to fair activities.
Will there be chairs supplied to the students during the fair?
There will be only ONE chair provided to each project.
Check In and Project Set-Up Questions
Where and when can I check in?
Students, parents, teachers and anyone else can check in on Friday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the northwest tower at Kyle Field.
Must the student(s) be present during check-in/setup on Friday, March 27?
No. A teacher, parent, friend, etc. may bring the project, check the student in, must receive approval from Display & Safety and set up the project. The student(s) must be in attendance at no later than 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, and be ready to present to judges.
If I bring a computer for my project do I have to leave it overnight?
No.
Will there be chairs supplied to the students during the fair?
There will be only ONE chair provided to each project.
Will approved abstracts be provided?
Starting in 2020, TXSEF will no longer be providing approved abstracts. It will be the responsibility of the finalist to bring their own approved abstract. Display & Safety will not sign off on projects to compete in the fair unless an approved abstract is on display.
Is there a code of Ethics for TXSEF?
Yes.
CODE OF ETHICS: The goal of competition is to give one’s best effort while displaying honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. Students, teachers, parents and guests are expected to display courtesy and respect toward TXSEF officials, other finalists, judges, and guests of TXSEF. Failure to show honesty and/or courtesy by a participant, teacher, or parent may result in the disqualification or no longer being invited back to TXSEF.
Judging Questions
When should students arrive on the day of judging (Saturday, March 28) ?
Students need to be at their projects 15 minutes before their judging period begins. Judging starts at 8:45 a.m., meaning the MUST be at their project no later than 8:30 a.m. Expect heavy traffic that morning and plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance.
How long will judging take?
Actual time of judging will depend on the complexity of the projects and the number of judges available. Please be patient and flexible.
Are the judges scores confidential?
Yes! TXSEF scoring is confidential and only accessible to TXSEF designated officials.
Where will final results be posted?
Final results will be posted on the awards page before April 15.
What if my opinion differs from a judge?
TXSEF realizes that in any competition differences of opinion about the judges interpretations may occur. It is the policy of TXSEF to support the interpretations and final decisions of the judges panel.
Awards Ceremony Questions
Where and when does the Awards Ceremony Start?
The Awards Ceremony will take place at Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium (171 Wellborn Rd, College Station, TX 77843) and doors will open at 6:30 p.m., but only the students will be allowed in the first 15 minutes. Students need to sit with their Region on the track, and parents will need to sit in the track stands. Parents are not allowed on the track floor. The ceremony will start at 7:00 p.m.
Must the student(s) be present at the Awards Ceremony?
No, but it is highly recommended if the student would like to receive their award(s). TXSEF will not be mailing out ANY awards after the ceremony. If you would like to receive your award, you must be in attendance at the ceremony.
