GARSEF Elementary Division Overview
Grades 3-6
The Elementary Division of the Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GARSEF) is a non-competitive event for 3rd - 6th graders. Schools will select qualifying projects to attend the Regional Fair using school based criteria. To participate in the regional fair,
- Elementary students are required to follow modified ISEF guidelines appropriate for their Division.
- Each school and project must register to participate in GARSEF.
- Each project must submit an online Project Research Form for approval.
- There are two categories of elementary projects:
- 3rd - 4th grade
- 5th - 6th grade
- More information and downloadable forms can be found on our Elementary Resources page
Home schools and students attending non-participating schools are allowed to participate. Email us for more details.
The Elementary Division fair is held separately from the Middle and High School Divisions.
Elementary Division projects do not advance past the Regional Fair.
Elementary Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sep 3 3:30 - 4:30 pm |
Teacher orientation on-line - At least one person from each participating school needs to attend orientation |
| Dec 1 | School Registration opens! Questions? Please email ELEMstaff@austinscience.org for more details. |
| Jan 8 | All elementary schools must be registered by this date |
| Jan 21 | Ideally, all school fairs should be completed by this date |
| Jan 26 | Deadline for teachers to submit student projects to GARSEF All requirements for each project must be complete (Steps 1-4) |
| Feb 19 2 pm - 7 pm |
Check-in and set-up of all projects at Palmer Event Center This can be done by student, parent, or teacher |
| Feb 20 9:30 - 1:30 pm |
Exploring Science Open! All minors need to be supervised while in the Exploring Science area |
| Feb 20 9:30 - 11:15 am |
5th - 6th grade Judging Students should be at their projects 15 minutes early |
| Feb 20 12:00 - 1:45 pm |
3rd - 4th grade Judging Students should be at their projects 15 minutes early |
| Feb 20 2:00 - 4:00 pm |
Public viewing of all projects |
| Feb 20 2:30 - 4:00 pm |
Elementary Award Ceremony All students will be called to the stage in groups for photos |
| Feb 21 4:00 pm |
Project boards are taken down and discarded Please remove any project boards you wish to keep before this time |
Email List
Would you like to get on the Elementary email list for 2027? Sign up here! You can unsubscribe at any time.
Questions? Please email ELEMstaff@austinscience.org for more details. A GARSEF Elementary Division e-mail with processes and deadline reminders will be sent monthly from August to December, then weekly until the fair deadline. Sign up here! You can unsubscribe at any time.