Download and read these guidelines thoroughly before registering as a TXSEF Finalist:
Important Dates for TXSEF:
- SRC reviews will be completed by March 4, 2024 at 5:00PM (CST).
- March 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (CST) — Finalist registration deadline to submit all required items in OpenWater.
- March 22, 2024 — Student, Project check – in and Display and Safety, Student Recreation Center, Texas A&M University
- March 22, 2024 — Night at the ZACH, Zachry Engineering Complex, Texas A&M University
- March 23, 2024 —Category Judging – live Interviews, Student Recreation Center, Texas A&M University
- March 23, 2024 — TXSEF Awards Ceremony, Rudder Auditorium, Texas A&M University
- April 30, 2024 — Payment Deadline
TXSEF Registration
Read these guidelines thoroughly before registering as a TXSEF Finalist:
- Review the rubric in the guide to better understand how your physical display board will be judged.
- Registration Platforms:
- STEM Wizard – this platform served as the registration platform for Regional Fairs and will additionally be used to facilitate the approval for SRC.
- Once you have received approval from SRC within STEM Wizard, you will register for TXSEF registration platform called OpenWater
- OpenWater -this is the platform finalists will use to register for TXSEF.
- STEM Wizard – this platform served as the registration platform for Regional Fairs and will additionally be used to facilitate the approval for SRC.
- Team Projects:
- If students are part of a team project, every team member must register individually in OpenWater.
- Team projects will need to designate one team member as the team lead. The team lead is in charge of submitting all required items (virtual display board/physical display board, project overview video and additional documents as needed).
Required Items:
- STEM Wizard
- Once advanced from a Regional Fair, finalists must log in to STEM Wizard, https://txsef.stemwizard.com/. Finalists must complete and upload the TXSEF Abstract Form. This version will be the only version SRC approves for state. Additionally, be sure to update or complete any milestones that are incomplete, and check their Files and Forms to make sure all required paperwork is submitted.
- SRC
- SRC approval must be completed for your project before you register for TXSEF. SRC reviews will be completed by March 4, 2024 at 5:00PM (CST).
- Finalists will need to login to their STEM Wizard account daily to monitor status and check for SRC messages. When they receive email requests for corrections from the SRC, they need to make these corrections and resubmit within a day of receiving the email
- Approval is indicated by the Files and Forms circle turning green with a check mark, along with all forms being listed as approved.
- TXSEF Registration (OpenWater)
- Every finalist must officially register for TXSEF. You will receive an email from TXSEF via STEM Wizard with information on how to register. Finalists will need to login to their STEM Wizard account daily to monitor status and check for messages.
- JR/SR Project Board Template Example (download and save it to your computer)
- Submissions
- All submissions must be submitted during registration. Registration is considered incomplete until all required submissions are received.
- The submission deadline is March 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (CST).
- After the submission deadline, projects will then be locked for TXSEF and special award judges to review prior to the fair. Projects that fail to submit revised paperwork in a timely manner will not be eligible for participation in TXSEF 2024.
- Finalists who advance to TXSEF are required to submit the following when registering:
- Form 1C (if applicable) PDF format
- Form 7 (if applicable) PDF format
- Abstract (PDF format)
- Note: Your abstract needs to be on the TXSEF Abstract Form with the correct category. This year’s Abstract will not have an official state SRC approved seal. Your abstracts will be stamped during TXSEF Display & Safety.
- Virtual display board (PDF format)
- Project Overview Video
- Students can upload a limited number of lab notes, which is optional.
- Compete in-person at Texas A&M University and provide a physical display board (project poster) as well as be interviewed in–person by TXSEF judges.
Invoicing and Payments – FINALISTS AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBLE PARTY
THERE WILL BE NO ONSITE PAYMENT
- Pay all fees to participate in TXSEF. – THERE WILL BE NO ONSITE PAYMENT
- Finalists, teachers, and parents will need to determine who is paying the finalist(s) participation fee.
- The fee is $50.00 per student.
- Personal checks will not be accepted.
- Any district, school or regional fair paying on behalf of finalist(s) will need to email TXSEF at txsef_registration@tamu.edu and include a full list of all students from the district competing in TXSEF. Please allow 1-2 business days to receive requested invoices.
- Although payment prior to fair is encouraged, we will not require payment up front. Final deadline to pay is April 30, 2024.