STEaM Competition

Welcome to ISSH Competition

Welcome to the Integrated Science, Social, and Humanities(ISSH) Competition, proudly supported by KSEF. We encourage motivated students from around the world who have conducted research in science (life sciences or physical sciences), humanities, social sciences, philosophy, economics, or any other STEaM to apply to the competition. Please review schedules, three competition types, and other information below. We welcome your questions, please don't hesitate to contact us by email at admin@ksef.org.

Agenda/Timeline

Competition Type	Due Dates	Registration	Results Announcement
Type A	(1st term)2025, 10/6 (2nd term)2026, 3/20	Portal or Email	(1st term)2025, 10/24 (2nd term)2026, 4/12
Type B	3/20, 2026	See below	4/12, 2026
Type C	(1st term)2025, 10/6 (2nd term)2026, 3/20	Portal or Email	(1st term)2026, 10/24 (2nd term)2026, 4/12

 

Contest Types

(Type A) Research Paper Competition

• Research paper template [Click]
• Application form [Click]
• Submit the 2 documents by email or via the portal
• Email: admin@ksef.org

(Type B) Poster/PowerPoint Presentation Competition

• Research paper template (format:docx): Please download the template. [Click]
• Application form (format:docx): Please download the form. [Click]
• Presentation poster (format:pdf): 90x120cm (the ratio is 3:4 when you create it in Google Slide, horizontal:90cm or ratio 3) / No formal format required.
• Presentation file (format:pdf): 10-15 slides / No formal # of slide or format required.
• Submit the 4 documents by email or via the portal.
• Email: admin@ksef.org
• Selection and notification of presenters: For poster presentations, a preliminary evaluation will be conducted, and a certain number of presenters will be selected and individually notified in advance via email.
• For the file submissions, please use portal or Email (admin@ksef.org).
• A pre-recorded presentation file (mp4 file) of approximately 7 to 10 minutes may be individually requested for preliminary evaluation.
• The presentation place may be either Venue 1 or 2 described below at the bottom of this page. Final schedule and presentation place will individually notified via email.
• After the presentations, various prizes, awards, gifts, and medals will be given to all the participants(who are also invited as finalists) on the same day.

(Type C) Work-in-progress Competition (WIP)

• The research presented in a WIP paper is still in the process of being conducted
• The paper may provide insights into the research methodology, initial observations, or research questions being explored.
• Ongoing short research paper with around 5 pages(but not limited to).
• Research paper template (format:docx): Please download the template. [Click]
• Application form (format:docx): Please download the form. [Click]
• Submit the 2 documents by email or via the portal.
• Email: admin@ksef.org

 

Judging Criteria (for Type B)

Steps	Judging	Grading Scale
1	Pre-Judging (Creativity, Originality, Adherence, etc)	70 %
2	Presentation	30 %

 

Submission Info

1. You can upload the materials clicking the tab "Submission" on top or email them directly via email. (Email: admin@ksef.org)
2. Submission deadline is at 11:59 pm KST on the day posted.
3. Multiple Submissions:
   Submission of a project that describes the same work to more than one event is not allowed. That means it is possible to submit multiple applications(A, B, and C) at the same time but only with different topics.
4. Projects at the level of a draft proposal, approximately 4-5 pages or more, are also acceptable for submission. (Contest Type: C)
   
5. Experimental papers are only accepted if they adhere to recognized experimental guidelines, and creative projects must comply with public ethics.
   
6. There is no specifically required format for posters and PPT presentation files. (Contest Type: B)
   
7. The category you applied for may be reclassified into a different type at the judges' discretion. (e.g., an application for Type A may be moved to Type B or Type C)
   
8. Even if you applied for Contest Type A or Type C, you may be asked to submit supplemental materials if you are tentatively selected as a winner. In rare cases, you may be asked to submit a presentation file (mp4), give a presentation via Zoom, or, an in-person presentation to verify the content of your work.
   
9. If you wish to attach supplementary materials (such as images or data), please include them along with the essential files such as application form and required paper, via the portal or email.
   
10. There is no required format on the poster and PPT presentation file.
    
11. There is no fee to participate in the contest, which includes paper submission and registration.

 

Schedule - Type (B)

* The schedule and mode of presentation(In-person or Virtual) is subject to change, depending on the circumstances

Times	Events
9:00 ~9:40	Judge Meeting
9:00 ~9:40	Registration and Opening Remarks
10:00 ~12:30	Poster/PowerPoint Presentations
12:30 ~13:30	Grading/Lunch
13:30 ~14:30	Award Ceremony
14:30	Wrap Up and Clean Up

Presentation - Type (B)

What To Expect
• Arrive, sign in and set up from 8:50 to 9:20 pre-inspection of projects by SRC: 9:00-9:40. (Individually invited participants should arrive between 8:50 and 9:20 to register and prepare for their presentations.)
• Interviews/presentations(15 min-20min./student), followed by lunch, the speaker session, and awards.
• The event will conclude by 2:30 PM on the same day, including the closing ceremony and cleanup.
• In addition to the above, there is a strong likelihood that people will have FUN.
• All selected participants will receive various types of awards, prizes, or gifts.
• Please note that parents/guardians are not allowed in the room or hall during the judging process.
• In special circumatances, professionals and college students may display their presentation on a large monitor instead of being printed out for this poster session.
• After the presentations, various prizes, awards, gifts, and medals will be given to all participants on the same day.

 

What To Bring - Type (B)

• Anything you may have not sent in earlier, and have told us to expect.
• Project notebook(s)
• Poster (and PPT presentation file) and any other items needed.
• Appetite
• Positive attitude, interest, and curiosity