Competition
Timeline & Deadlines
01/01/2025
Registration Opens
TBD
SRC Project Submission
TBD
Registration Closes
TBD
Abstract Submission Deadline
04/16/2026
Fair Date
Qualifying Projects
Qualifying projects include experimental research projects started after April of 2025.
An 'experimental research project' is the implementation of the scientific method to answer a question or solve a problem. This involves doing background research on the question/problem, forming a hypothesis or proposed solution, designing and performing experiments to test the hypothesis/solution, analyzing the experimental data, and using the results to draw conclusions about the question or problem being investigated. In NJSRS, the research can be in any area of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
If a project requires SRC approval as per our SRC Guidelines (a clickable link), they must submit the appropriate forms at an earlier deadline as shown above.
Competition Format & Rules
In NJSRS, every project is presented through a long-form oral presentation with slides and is judged in front of a panel of STEM professionals and an audience. The competition uses a two-stage format: morning category judging in classrooms and afternoon final round presentations for category winners.
Judged Oral Presentations (Category Round)
Students present in assigned categories (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics & Computer Science), with each category in its own classroom. Every student gives a 10-minute presentation using slides, followed by 5 minutes of judge Q&A and 3 minutes of audience Q&A. Judges then step into the hallway to finalize their scoring and written feedback. Evaluation is based on clarity of explanation, quality of experimental design and analysis, understanding of the science, and ability to respond to questions. First place category winners advance to the final round.
View detailed Presentation Rules
Final Round Presentations
First place category winners deliver a second 10-minute slide presentation in a common space such as the auditorium, cafeteria, library, or MILL. In the final round, there is no judge Q&A and no audience Q&A; judges score solely on the quality of the presentation and the underlying research. These finalists will be eligible to win the Grand Prizes of NJSRS.
View Final Round Guidelines
Rules, Safety & Ethics
All projects must follow ISEF safety rules and NJSRI's own rules on research integrity, attribution, and safe use of materials and equipment. Projects involving human participants, vertebrate animals, or potentially hazardous biological agents (PHBAs) require prior SRC (and IRB, if applicable) approval before experimentation begins. Students must accurately represent their own work, maintain proper citations, and may not fabricate or misreport data; serious violations lead to disqualification.
View Full Rules & Ethics Policy.
Venue
The New Jersey Science Research Symposium is hosted at Millburn High School in Millburn, New Jersey. The event uses two main spaces:
Classrooms 100-110 - Oral Presentations
A set of adjacent classrooms (100-110) is reserved for oral presentations. In each room, a small panel of judges listens to talks, asks questions, and scores projects.
Auditorium
The high school auditorium is used for the final round judging and award ceremony. First place category winners will present their research in front of a larger audience to be evaluated for the Grand Prize Winners Award of NJSRS.