Eastern South Dakota Science & Engineering Fair
The 71st Annual Eastern South Dakota Science & Engineering Fair will take place Tuesday, March 31st 2026
Club 71 at the Dana Dykhouse Stadium
1451 Stadium Rd.
Brookings, SD 57007
Google map
Schedule of Events
*Final schedule will released in January
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
8:00am - 9:00am
Doors open and students can set up projects. Teachers should pick up school packets at the registration table. Projects must be set up by 9:00 a.m.
8:15am - 9:00am
Judges Orientation Meeting will be held in "Teachers Area" in Club 71 .
9:00am - 11:30am
All participants must be with their projects for interviews by judges
9:30am - 10:30am
Meeting with all science teachers (Location Club Level Teachers Area).
11:30am - 12:30pm
Lunch for students (on your own). Concession stands will be open.
12:30pm - 2:00pm
All participants must be with their projects for interviews by judges. Exhibits are open to the public.
2:00pm
Judging Concludes. The SDSU Admissions Office will be serving free SDSU ice cream in Club 71 for all participants.
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Awards presentations in Club 71.
4:00pm
Remove projects any remaining projects from "Club 71" following the awards ceremony. There will be a short meeting of the Grand Prize winners and their teachers at the stage right after the ceremony to discuss preparations needed for the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Judge Schedule of Events
Judging day will take place on Tuesday, March 31st with judge check-in opening at 8:00am followed by judge orientation at 8:15am. Open judging is from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
How to Register & Participate
Teachers & Students/Projects
Student/Project
Account Log-In
Judges & Volunteers
Register Online!
Registration Deadlines
Opens on
Closes on
Final Revisions Close*
Status
Registration Deadlines
Teacher Registration
Oct 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Mar 16, 2026 (Monday)
n/a
Closed
Teacher Registration (Closed)
Open: Oct 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Close: Mar 16, 2026 (Monday)
Pre-Approval Paperwork
Oct 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Feb 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
Mar 5, 2026 (Thursday)
Closed
Pre-Approval Paperwork (Closed)
Open: Oct 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Close: Feb 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
*Revisions: Mar 5, 2026 (Thursday)
Project Registration
Oct 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Mar 16, 2026 (Monday)
n/a
Closed
Project Registration (Closed)
Open: Oct 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Close: Mar 16, 2026 (Monday)
Final ISEF Forms
Feb 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
Mar 19, 2026 (Thursday)
Mar 27, 2026 (Friday)
Open
Final ISEF Forms (Open)
Open: Feb 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
Close: Mar 19, 2026 (Thursday)
*Revisions: Mar 27, 2026 (Friday)
Judge Registration
Nov 26, 2024 (Tuesday)
Mar 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
n/a
Open
Judge Registration (Open)
Open: Nov 26, 2024 (Tuesday)
Close: Mar 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
Volunteer Registration
Nov 26, 2024 (Tuesday)
Mar 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
n/a
Open
Volunteer Registration (Open)
Open: Nov 26, 2024 (Tuesday)
Close: Mar 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
*final revision indicates the last date when you can re-upload your forms/paperwork when requested by our staff.
Divisions and Categories
The 71st Annual Eastern South Dakota Science & Engineering Fair is open to all students in grades 6 through 12. Students will be participating in 2 divisions:
Junior Division (grades 6 - 8)
Senior Division (grades 9 - 12)
Each division is separated into 11 categories:
Animal Sciences (AS)
Behavioral and Social Sciences (BE)
Chemistry & Biochem (CB)
Computer Sci/Engineering/Math (CEM)
Earth/Planetary Science/Weather/Environmental Sci (EA)
Energy & Transportation (ET)
Food Science (FS)
Medicine & Health Sciences (ME)
Microbiology/Cellular & Molecular Biology (MI)
Physics & Astronomy (PA)
Plant Sciences (PS)