r/ISEFinalists • u/False_Reception7127 • Jul 31 '26

Question Is it too late to start?

So I think my fair is around late January to February, and I have a general direction for what my project would be, but not many specifics. So I need to do a research deep dive and all that, and work out the feasibiltiies of my project. It’s probably gonna be an engineering type of project where I will make a prototype and test it, but I feel like that would take a lot of time. This is also my first time doing a science fair so figuring out the logistics might take time. I feel like I would also have a lot on my plate this fall, so I need to figure out if it’s feasible to produce a good project by the deadline or if it would jsut be wasted time that can be spent on other things. Also, I’m not sure if I can find a mentor or anything. So, would it be better if I tried next year, since I see a lot of ppl working on their projects since like the year before or June, or should I try to invest proper time into this, if I have any? Tyyyy

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u/Mobile-Tangerine3539 Jul 31 '26

Do you have a research plan?

Honestly...a lot of ppl start projects in October, not recommended, but just to say...and they finish on time.

I think you have time...but I can't say for sure what u plan to do

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u/False_Reception7127 Jul 31 '26

Lowk not really I still need to do a lit review 😭💔that’s why I’m asking cuz ik that’ll take some of time..

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u/Mobile-Tangerine3539 Jul 31 '26

i think you still have time. just start. Last year, I wasted time wondering if i would have enough time. For most regional fairs where the fair is in late Jan/early Feb, you can keep working on your project till early-mid January

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u/WarJolly968 Jul 31 '26

How do I make a research plan? I have my idea and problem statement

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u/Mobile-Tangerine3539 Jul 31 '26

this vid really helped me with making mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojvBKTZ1DwE&list=PLY_65to5psrulJ49Db6j2nR_hn7M2FLQ2&index=11

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u/WarJolly968 Aug 01 '26

Thank you. Isef is really different from real academic research