ISEF-AZ Preparation Program

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (formerly Intel International Science and Engineering Fair), is the world’s largest and most prestigious pre-college exhibition in the world, with approximately 1800 projects from 80 countries competing for over $5 million in awards. This fair showcases the world’s brightest students and provides a unique opportunity for their projects to be judged by professional scientists and engineers. Participation in this annual event usually makes a significant impact on the students and their choice of career paths.

The Emeritus College ISEF-AZ Preparatory Program created in 2013 has been designed to help Arizona students selected to attend the Regeneron ISEF excel at this level of competition. The Program incorporates training, prejudging and judging components in a half-day session. The students provide abstracts of their projects in advance of the Program for the judges to review. Judges include Emeritus College members, Arizona State University faculty and corporate personnel. This Program provides Emeritus College members with personal contact with the next generation of innovators in Arizona as well as with other judges. The College has also established a close working relationship with the three ISEF-affiliated fairs in Arizona, and several Emeritus College members serve as judges at these fairs as well. The continued partnership between the Emeritus College and the Arizona Science Center allows greater public awareness of our unique Program. The University is also benefiting from this Program by having direct recruitment access to the top students in the state.

The Emeritus College ISEF-AZ Preparatory Program received a 2018 inaugural Innovation Award from the Association of Retiree Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE). This Award is based upon the novelty, documented success, replication potential, and overall impact on emeriti retirees, academia, students and the community.

The Program Coordinator is William Glaunsinger, Emeritus Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences and Assistant Dean of Sciences and Professions in the Emeritus College. For further information or to inquire about becoming a judge, please contact emerituscollege@asu.edu.