This page will be revised for the 2025 Synopsys Championship. Please check back periodically for updates. [2024-10-21]
The 2025 Synopsys Championship will be held on March 12-13, 2025.
Topics:
- Important Dates
- Announcements and Resources
- Planning & Preparation
- Application Process
- Project and Notebook
- Forms for Judging Folders
- Preparing for Fair Days
- Printed Materials for Check-In Day
- What to Expect on Check-In Day
- What to Expect on Judging Day
- Post Fair Events
Announcements and Resources
Virtual Teacher Workshop for 2024-2025: Wednesday, October 9th 4:30-5:30pm
A Teacher Workshop specifically geared to help teachers fill out the Synopsys Championship paperwork was held virtually on Wednesday, Oct 9th from 4:30-5:30pm. Feel free to watch the recorded session here.
It is strongly recommended for teachers who are new, relatively new or returning to the Championship attend the Teacher Workshop. The workshop will focus on how to fill out the forms correctly, especially projects that require SRC pre-approval, the importance of dates, and meeting Minimum Quality Requirements. It is strongly recommended that you take time to review the ISEF Rules and Guidelines and Contact us ahead of time with any questions you would like answered before joining the session.
Student Clinic for 2024-2025: Tuesday, October 22nd 5:30-6:30pm
A question and answer session will be held virtually on Tuesday Oct 22 from 5:30-6:30pm. It is recommended that students, new teachers, as well as sponsors who will supervise a PSP (privately-sponsored project), attend to ask questions and get answers. The slides will give you an overview of how to get started, dos and don’ts and timelines for the 2025 Synopsys Championship. It is strongly recommended that you review the slides before coming to the Q&A. Please RSVP via this Google Form if you plan to attend and the Zoom link will follow. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Student Clinic for 2024-2025: Thursday, October 24th: Engineering Projects ONLY
A question and answer session will be held virtually on Thursday Oct 24 from 5:30-6:30pm. It is recommended that students, new teachers, as well as sponsors who will supervise a PSP (privately-sponsored project), attend to ask questions and get answers regarding their Engineering Project. The slides will give you an overview of how to get started, dos and don’ts and timelines for the 2025 Synopsys Championship. It is strongly recommended that you review the slides before coming to the
Q&A. Please RSVP via this Google Form if you plan to attend and we will send you the Zoom link. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
The Society for Science has partnered with Rise
Rise is a program that finds promising young people and provides them with opportunities that allow them to work together to serve others, by providing resources like including higher education scholarships and a global network. If you are interested in applying to this program, click HERE.
Field of Study Reminder
As a reminder, students may not do any health-related project that involves diagnosis or treatment without supervision of a doctor.
The Synopsys Outreach Foundation has links to resources for students and parents as well as teachers.
The Society for Science has posted Research @ Home to help support student research outside the traditional laboratory environment.
Please watch our 2022 Synopsys Championship students get recognized by the City of San Jose at the 2022 STEM Recognition Event that took place June 6, 2023! Youtube link here.
STUDENT CLINICS & TEACHER WORKSHOPS
- Teacher Workshop 2024-2025 presentation – video recording
- Student Clinic 2023-2024 presentation – slides only
- Student Clinic 2022-2023 presentation: with narration or slides only
- Engineering_Workshop slide presentation
- 2017-Teacher Workshop presentation for teachers
Planning and Preparation
Check your eligibility for the Synopsys Championship and read the Rules and Registration page.
Explore the SCVSEFA web pages listed under Students in the navigation menu.
Read the ISEF Rules and Guidelines before you start your project.
- As an ISEF affiliated fair, the Synopsys Championship follows ISEF Rules and uses ISEF Forms.
- SCVSEFA web pages explain some requirements and forms that are specific to the Synopsys Championship.
Follow links on the Process page about finding a sponsor and choosing a project.
Important: Determine if your project needs SRC pre-approval. Deadlines and requirements are different for projects that DO and DON’T require it.
Application Process
The online application requires the student or team leader to complete several steps:
- register online,
- complete a set of digital forms,
- upload the forms to your forms folder,
- pay the application processing fee, which officially SUBMITS the application for review.
You are ready to register when you have the following:
- Title of project (120 characters or less)
- Project category and field of study
- Teacher/sponsor name and email address
- Contact information for student(s) and parent(s)
After registration, the student (or team leader) receives a Project Code and personalized instructions via a detailed Project Page.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- If SRC pre-approval is required for a project, the application must arrive before the SRC pre-approval deadline, see the Important Dates page for all deadlines.
- A project involving humans, including questioning about or testing a project, must be submitted for pre-approval and include the Human-Participants Research Plan.
- Application due dates are RECEIPT dates. An application will be processed if payment has not yet been received but needs to be paid within 7 days of the application deadline date. Alert the Fair Manager to any questions or problems via the contact page.
Important: Judges at the fair are assigned by category and field of study. For more information about your choices, read the Project Categories page and the Category Judging FAQ.
Project and Notebook
Every student should Check Project Status to be sure their application has been Accepted. If you need SRC pre-approval, you must wait for approval before you begin work on your project.
If you have questions – especially about handling or disposing of hazardous devices or materials – send them to the SRC via the SCVSEFA contact page.
Questions about payments, vouchers or any application that doesn’t appear to have been Received may be sent to Fair Administration via the contact page.
Record your process and results in a notebook or logbook, which may be digital or on paper.
Upload Forms to Judging Folder
Upload these forms (and only these forms) to your Judging Folder:
- Project abstract (interactive PDF). Download, complete and save as a PDF. No videos or links to other documents.
- Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form. High School students with a professional mentor (RRI projects) must upload Form 1C, which is completed after the research is done (if your project requires it).
- Form 7: Continuation Projects Form (if your project requires it)
Preparing for Fair Days
Review instructions for your trifold project display board:
Project Display Rules and Helpful Hints for Project Display
Parking and Student Drop Off
Parking may be tight in the convention center area. There is no free parking at South Hall.
Parking Map at the Fair
Students and their projects may be dropped off at the curb on Viola St. next to the sign STUDENT DROP OFF Wednesday, March 12, 2025, anytime between Noon and 6 PM. Come early to avoid crowds. However there is no waiting on Viola. If a parent wants to come into the Exhibit Hall to help a student, they’ll need to find a nearby public parking lot, and meet the student inside.
Parking and Student Pick Up
Check back later regarding the public viewing period this year. If there is no public viewing parents may pick up their students anytime between 5 and 6 PM. A few students may be asked to stay until 6:00 if judges need more time with their projects. Judges will try to notify those students before 4:30 PM. To reduce congestion, parents are requested to pick up middle school students between 5 and 5:30 and high school students between 5:30 and 6:00.
Pick up is on Viola Street, where there is no parking or waiting. Parents and students should communicate their whereabouts to help traffic keep moving on that narrow street.
Checklist of Printed Materials for Fair Check-In Day
- Project abstract (1 copy)
- Compliance-Checklist
- Project Notebook (optional for Middle School); hard copy, printed, or digital.
- Form 1B from your application
- Signed Ethics Statement
- Form 1C Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form (if your project requires it)
- Form 7 Continuation Projects Form (if your project requires it)
- Form 4 Human Participants Form from your application (if your project requires it)
- Signed Human Informed Consent Forms (if your project requires them) (Fair Check-In Day ONLY)
- Forms 6A and 6B from your application (if your project requires it)
NOT REQUIRED: Forms 1, 1A, 2, 3, 5A, 5B and Research Plan
What to Expect on Check-In Day Wednesday, March 12
We recommend all fair attendees wear a mask but it is not required. If you are feeling unwell, we request that you email us at fairmanager@science-fair.org and let us know you will not be attending. Covid precautions can be found on the Fair Week page.
If your parent, another parent, or a teacher is checking in your project, they will follow Steps 1-3. The only exception is Group Check-In for middle school teachers who bring 5 or more projects.
- Once inside South Hall pick up your badge, which you will also need on judging day.
- At the registration desk, your project display will be checked for compliance. Registration will be much smoother and FASTER if each project has all the forms on the Printed Materials Checklist (above).
- At the entrance to the project display area, pick up your project placard, and a volunteer will help you find your location on the display tables at South Hall. When you’re ready to leave, take home anything of value, especially a computer or tablet.
What to Expect on Judging Day, Thursday, March 13
- Wear your badge (received at Check-In Day).
- A mask is recommended but not required.
- Dress for success, neatly and professionally.
- Bring a water bottle (water fountains are available inside the South Hall) and a snack, but keep your project area tidy. Food is not available in South Hall except for judges.
- Arrive promptly but not too early. The doors open at 1:25 PM for grades 9-12 and at 1:55 PM for grades 6-8. Exception: students who need to complete compliance requirements must arrive 30 minutes early and check in at the Information Desk.
- There may be long periods between judges. Bring a book or something to do while sitting quietly. (note: WiFi slows down when South Hall is full of students.)
- Judges will probably come to speak with you one at a time. Some judges represent Category Awards (1st, 2nd, HM in scientific categories), while others are looking for Sponsored Award recipients, and all are important. Ask category judges (wearing blue ribbons) to add a green dot to your Compliance Checklist.
- You may need to stay by your project until 6:00 PM so that we can complete judging. Judges will try to notify you by 4:30 PM.
- Remove project boards between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM unless you are directed to stay for further judging.
Notice Regarding Fair Attendance
- Students must be present at their boards to be judged. For team projects, at least one team member must be present.
- Students should leave a conspicuous note at their board with an estimated return time when they take a restroom break.
- A few students may be asked to stay until 6:00pm if judges need more time with their projects.
PUBLIC viewing at the SYNOPSYS CHAMPIONSHIP on March 13 (TBD)
Post-Fair Events
The winners list will be posted on the web site 2-3 weeks after the fair.
Why aren’t the results posted immediately?
The Synopsys Championship Awards Ceremonies are scheduled for April 6, 2025 at Heritage Theatre in Campbell, CA (1 W Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008). Doors open at 12:00pm, Theater opens at 12:30pm. Middle school award ceremony is from 1 – 3pm and high school award ceremony is from 3:30-5:30pm. For more details click here.
