An Insider’s Look at ISEF (Part 2): What Really Happens During Competition Week

If Part 1 of this series was about the grind of getting to ISEF, Part 2 is about what happens once you’re finally there. No matter how many science fairs you’ve been to before, nothing really prepares you for the scale, the energy, and the sheer whirlwind of an ISEF week. From the moment you arrive to the last applause at the awards ceremony, the experience is equal parts overwhelming, exhausting, and exhilarating.

I’ll take you behind the scenes of what a week at the world’s biggest pre-college science fair is actually like — the good, the stressful, and the unforgettable.

Me at my poster setup!

Arriving at ISEF

This year, ISEF was held in Columbus, Ohio. Last year, I went to Los Angeles, which definitely had more things to do around the convention center, but Columbus had its own...charm! The downtown area was lively, especially because while ISEF was happening, the city had blocked off streets for a festival — think food stands, vendors, and even outdoor concerts happening just streets away from the convention center!

I traveled with the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) delegation, since they fund the entire trip for their finalists. That meant flights, hotel rooms, and meals were all covered, which was a big financial relief. Most of us had roommates, so you instantly had someone to share the experience with. The only real hiccup was on the way back: our flight got delayed, then canceled altogether. The solution ended up being spending the night in the airport and eventually busing home from Ohio. Not ideal, but it added to the “ISEF adventure” story I’ll never forget.

And of course, upon checking in at the convention center, I got my badge, some cool swag (a duffle bag, some keychains, etc.), and — the favorite among almost everyone — a Jane Street–branded Owala water bottle.

Project Setup Day

Setup day sounds simple, but in reality, it’s one of the most stressful parts of ISEF. Imagine 1,700 students from more than 80 countries all trying to set up their project boards at once inside a massive convention center. Rows upon rows of poster boards stretch across the expo hall like a maze.

The process isn’t just taping your poster to a board and walking away. There are two rounds of inspections, where officials carefully check every detail of your setup: font sizes, safety rules, allowed materials, and even laptop stickers. If you’re using a laptop, you need to get it tagged and scanned against your ISEF badge every time you bring it in or out, just to ensure integrity.

For me, the setup was made more stressful because my laptop refused to charge that morning, forcing me to run back to the hotel to grab a charger and even my backup laptop. Meanwhile, I saw other students panicking because their projects weren’t clearing inspection — some needed to reprint whole sections on the spot. The air in the convention hall was a mix of excitement and tension.

Pro tip for future finalists: keep your setup simple and compliant. Inspectors aren’t trying to trip you up, but the rules are strict to ensure fairness and safety. Double-check everything ahead of time and bring backups of your files, chargers, and any printed materials.

Judging Day

This is the big one, the day that can feel longer than the entire rest of the week combined. Judging runs from about 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with only a short lunch break in between. You’re assigned a schedule with time slots for each judge (usually 8–12 grand award judges, depending on your category). Each interview lasts about 15 minutes.

I went into the morning feeling pretty numb, honestly. A mix of nerves, exhaustion (I probably should have slept earlier), and that surreal sense that all the late nights had led to this moment.

My judges were mostly professors and professionals from local universities like Ohio State, or engineers working in software and AI. They were supportive and thoughtful, asking questions that ranged from the nitty-gritty technical details of my project to big-picture questions like “How could this be used in real healthcare settings?” What I liked most was that they weren’t out to stump me — they wanted to see how I thought.

One challenge, though, is pacing yourself. You have to repeat your “pitch” again and again throughout the day, but you also want to tailor it to each judge. Some judges want the deep technical dive; others care more about societal impact. By the afternoon, my voice was hoarse, but I felt better with each repetition.

Another wrinkle is that while you know your grand award judges, you don’t know which special award organizations are interested in your project. So the best strategy is to stay at your booth all day, because at any moment a special award judge (from places like IEEE or NASA) might stop by. In my case, I got interviewed by IEEE five different times.

By the end of judging day, everyone is drained. But there’s also this buzzing sense of accomplishment in the hall — like we all just ran a marathon, and no matter what happens at the awards, we’ve survived the hardest part.

Culture & Community: Pin Exchange and More

One of the most fun traditions at ISEF is the pin exchange. Each delegation brings pins that represent their region or country, and students trade them like prized collectibles. Since I was representing DVSF, our pin was the Liberty Bell. Other countries had incredible pins — Australia had koalas, some had hand-painted designs, and American Samoa gave out necklaces. My absolute favorites ended up being the Koalas (from the Aussies) and a necklace from American Samoa that I still keep as a memory.

Beyond the pins, it’s the conversations that stick with you. Meeting students from dozens of countries, hearing about their projects, and sometimes even seeing them in cultural outfits was amazing. It’s humbling to realize that you’re part of a global community of young scientists — and that the future is being shaped in all these different corners of the world.

Side Events and Public Day

ISEF isn’t all judging and stress. There are mixers, alumni events, and chances to explore the host city. I went to the mixer, which was high-energy and full of music and dancing. Because I had attended ISEF last year, I also got invited to the Society for Science alumni event, which was a great chance to connect with prior alumni.

There was also a public day, when the expo hall opened to teachers, students, and families from the host city. It was fun, but honestly, a little tiring after judging — repeating your spiel to curious middle schoolers isn’t the same as answering judges, but it still takes energy. It was rewarding to see kids get inspired, though, and maybe imagine themselves in my shoes a few years down the line.

We also got meal vouchers for a local market, which was nice. And while ISEF offered tickets to a local museum, my group ended up skipping that in favor of hanging out and exploring the city together.

Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony is like the Oscars of high school science. Imagine a giant hall packed with 1,700 students, their mentors, families, and dignitaries, all waiting for names to be called. The energy is electric — quiet anticipation one moment, and then loud cheers the next when someone’s country or region wins.

I won’t dwell too much on the results here, because the truth is, ISEF is about so much more than medals. Sitting in that hall, you realize that just being there means you’re among the best of the best worldwide. The recognition, friendships, and growth you gain are just as valuable as any award.

My Biggest Lesson

After attending ISEF two years in a row, one thing has become clear: it never gets “easy.” Even with experience, the scale of the event and the sheer talent around you can still feel overwhelming. But that’s also what makes it so powerful.

The biggest surprise for me has been the sheer amount of talent and creativity on display. Walking through the aisles of projects is like a glimpse into the future — AI applications, climate change solutions, biomedical breakthroughs, and ideas you’d expect from graduate students, not teenagers. It’s humbling and inspiring all at once.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to future ISEF participants, it’s this: take it all in. Yes, prepare for judging, but don’t forget to soak in the culture, the friendships, and the fun moments outside the expo hall. ISEF isn’t just about proving yourself to judges; it’s about realizing you belong in this global community of thinkers and dreamers (corny-sounding, I know).

Looking Ahead

Since this is the last part of my ISEF series, I want to end with a bigger reflection. Preparing for and attending ISEF isn’t just about one week in May — it’s a process that shapes you as a student, a researcher, and a person. From the countless hours of literature review and late-night coding to the nerves of judging day and the joy of trading pins with students from halfway across the world, every moment teaches you something.

For me, the takeaway is simple but important: research isn’t just about data and results. It’s about resilience, curiosity, and connection. ISEF reminded me that high schoolers are capable of world-changing ideas, and that science is a global language that transcends borders.

If you ever get the chance to go to ISEF, take it — not just for the competition, but for the friendships, the growth, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to stand among some of the brightest young minds in the world. And even if you don’t, know that the spirit of ISEF — pushing yourself, sharing knowledge, and daring to dream bigger — can be part of any research journey you take.

About the Author: I'm Jophy Lin, a high school senior and researcher. I blog about a variety of topics, such as STEM research, competitions, shows, and my experiences in the scientific community. If you’re interested in research tips, competition insights, drama reviews, personal reflections on STEM opportunities, and other related topics, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!