STEM Research Challenge

CENTRAL NM STEM RESEARCH CHALLENGE

Central NM STEM Research Challenge is a three division (elementary, middle and high school students), multiple category regional student competition of science and engineering projects.

Central NM STEM Research Challenge

When: March 18-20 & 22, 2026 (final detailed schedule will be available in January 2026)

Where: EXPO New Mexico

Fee: $30.00 per student (4th - 12th)

Registration

Students, Teachers, Judges, Volunteers...Create an Account & Register Now!

Teacher registration opens October 1, 2025
Judge/Volunteer registration opens October 1 2025
Student registration opens December 1, 2025

Deadlines

November 24, 2025 - Prior Approval Request Deadline
- All required paperwork/forms DUE for any projects requiring PRIOR APPROVAL review by the STEM-H Center. These projects include:
  - ALL vertebrate animal projects
  - ALL projects with research being done at UNM laboratory
  - ANY other project needing prior approval when no school or local SRC/IRB committee exists
- For schools with approved SRC/IRB committees:
  - Local SRC/IRB Membership Roster must be submitted
  - Your SRC-IRB Committee Chair, at MINIMUM, must complete the FREE online, self-paced SRC-IRB Training Module with 80% proficiency. The training module will be available by October 2025 at https://unmstemed.moodlecloud.com. All committee members are encouraged to take the training but, if not, then the Chairperson MUST also ensure all members are briefed on the ISEF rules/forms, have access to an electronic copy of the ISEF rules/forms, and receive training in the conducting of thorough & complete protocol reviews for prior approval as well as pre-competition final reviews.
  - Local/school committees CANNOT review/approve vertebrate animal projects or projects with lab research conducted at UNM. Those MUST be sent to the STEM-H Center for review and approval.
- Reviewing these flowchart will also help clarify what projects need prior approval and by who:
  - PriorApprovalFLOWCHART_Elementary (PDF)
  - PriorApprovalFLOWCHART_Middle & High School (PDF)
- Submit prior approval requests to the STEM-H Center here

February 6, 2026 - Transmittal Form & Local SRC-IRB
- Transmittal Form & Local SRC-IRB Committee Rosters DUE

February 9, 2026 - Online Entry, Paperwork Uploads, etc..
- Online Entry (zFairs): Paperwork Uploads, Media/Publicity/Liability/Data Collection Release & Entry Fees ($30 per student ALL divisions)
March 2, 2026 - Digital Project Board and Abstract updates
- Last date to upload Digital Project Board and Abstract updates in zFairs

Resources

Forms

Forms Finder – ISEF Forms - Middle and High School
2026 Elementary Research Project Rules & Forms - Coming Soon
ISEF Rules Wizard
2026 Research Challenge Project Materials Guidelines (PDF) - Coming Soon
Schedule of Events 2026 (PDF) - Coming Soon
Transmittal Form 2026 (PDF)
2026 SRC/IRB Roster Online Form
Research Project Consultant Request PDF
2026 Media Release Medical Form (PDF) - Coming Soon
2026 Prior Approval Review Request Form

Information

Judging Forms & Downloads