New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition (NHSEE)

Disclaimer: Students - please adhere to any licensing, terms of use or user agreements, code of conduct, and privacy policies of the following free resources.

High School - Registering Your Project with STEM Wizard

https://nhsee.stemwizard.com/public_site/add_student/nhsee

Middle School - Registering Your Project with STEM Wizard

https://nhmsf.stemwizard.com/public_site/add_student/nhmsf

Science Fair Project Basics

https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/the-basics/

ISEF Rules 2024-2025

https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/

ISEF Display and Safety Rules 2024-2025

https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/display-safety-rules/

ISEF Categories and Subcategories

Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

https://doaj.org
• Peer reviewed, fully open access journals across STEM disciplines
• Strong for high school literature reviews

PubMed Central (PMC)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
• Free full text biomedical and life sciences articles
• Especially strong for biology, medicine, and health sciences

arXiv

https://arxiv.org
• Open access preprints in physics, math, computer science, engineering
• Excellent for computational and AI related projects

bioRxiv

https://www.biorxiv.org
• Free preprints in biological sciences

PLOS (Public Library of Science)

https://plos.org
• Fully open access journals
• PLOS ONE is broad and accessible for students

ERIC (Education Research)

https://eric.ed.gov
• Free education research database

Data.gov

https://www.data.gov
• U.S. government datasets across science, health, climate, economics

NH Open Data Portal

https://www.nh.gov/transparentnh/
• State level datasets
• Useful for local research questions

UCI Machine Learning Repository

https://archive.ics.uci.edu
• Clean datasets designed for machine learning

Kaggle (Free Tier)

https://www.kaggle.com
• Free datasets
• Free coding notebooks
• Public competitions students can observe

NASA Open Data

https://data.nasa.gov

NOAA Climate Data

https://www.ncei.noaa.gov

CDC Data Portal

Google Colab

https://colab.research.google.com
• Free cloud based Python notebooks
• Supports machine learning libraries
• No installation required

Jupyter Notebook (Open Source)

https://jupyter.org

Anaconda (Individual Edition)

https://www.anaconda.com/products/distribution
• Free for individuals
• Includes Python, R, data science packages

R and RStudio

https://cran.r-project.org
https://posit.co/download/rstudio-desktop/
• Completely free statistical computing

Scikit Learn

https://scikit-learn.org

TensorFlow

https://www.tensorflow.org

PyTorch

https://pytorch.org

Core Numerical and Data Libraries

These form the foundation of most scientific computing in Python.

NumPy

https://numpy.org

What it is
NumPy is the core numerical computing library for Python. It provides fast multidimensional arrays and mathematical operations.

What it does well
• Handles large datasets efficiently
• Matrix and vector operations
• Linear algebra
• Random number generation
• Scientific simulations

Best for

• Physics modeling
• Engineering calculations
• Statistical simulations
• Monte Carlo simulations

Why it matters
Nearly every advanced Python scientific project depends on NumPy. It is the backbone of the ecosystem.

SciPy

https://scipy.org

What it is
SciPy builds on NumPy and adds advanced scientific functions.

What it does well
• Optimization
• Integration
• Interpolation
• Signal processing
• Linear algebra
• Statistical distributions

Best for

• Engineering design optimization
• Signal processing projects
• Scientific modeling
• Advanced mathematics

Why it matters
SciPy moves students from basic data handling into real scientific computation.

Pandas

https://pandas.pydata.org

What it is
A data analysis library built on top of NumPy.

What it does well
• Data cleaning
• Data transformation
• Handling spreadsheets and CSV files
• Grouping and summarizing data
• Time series analysis

Best for

• Public health data
• Environmental data
• Economics projects
• Survey analysis

Why it matters
Pandas allows students to work with real world messy data, which mirrors professional research environments.

Statistical Modeling Libraries

Statsmodels

https://www.statsmodels.org

What it is
A Python library focused on classical statistical modeling.

What it does well
• Linear regression
• Logistic regression
• ANOVA
• Time series models
• Hypothesis testing

Best for

• AP Statistics level projects
• Social science research
• Public policy analysis
• Experimental data analysis

Why it matters
Statsmodels gives students functionality similar to SPSS or SAS, but free.

Pingouin

https://pingouin-stats.org

What it is
A lightweight statistical package for Python.

What it does well
• T tests
• ANOVA
• Correlations
• Effect sizes
• Power analysis

Best for

• Psychology and biology projects
• Beginner friendly statistical testing in Python

Why it matters
It simplifies statistical testing without requiring heavy coding expertise.

Machine Learning Libraries

Scikit Learn

https://scikit-learn.org

What it is
A machine learning library built on NumPy and SciPy.

What it does well
• Classification
• Regression
• Clustering
• Model evaluation
• Cross validation

Best for

• AI projects
• Predictive modeling
• Pattern recognition
• Data science competitions

Why it matters
It provides structured, well documented machine learning tools that are appropriate for high school computational projects.

TensorFlow

https://www.tensorflow.org

What it is
A deep learning framework developed by Google.

What it does well
• Neural networks
• Image recognition
• Natural language processing
• Large scale machine learning

Best for

• Advanced AI projects
• Computer vision
• Deep learning research

Why it matters
Used in industry and research labs. Accessible through Google Colab without installation.

PyTorch

https://pytorch.org

What it is
A deep learning framework widely used in research.

What it does well
• Neural networks
• Research grade AI modeling
• Flexible experimentation

Best for

• Students working with mentors
• Advanced computational projects

Why it matters
Many research labs prefer PyTorch due to flexibility.

Visualization Libraries

Matplotlib

https://matplotlib.org

What it is
Foundational plotting library in Python.

What it does well
• Publication quality graphs
• Line plots
• Histograms
• Scatterplots

Best for
Nearly all science fair projects requiring figures

Why it matters
It teaches students how to produce professional scientific visualizations.

Seaborn

https://seaborn.pydata.org

What it is
Built on Matplotlib, focused on statistical graphics.

What it does well
• Correlation heatmaps
• Distribution plots
• Regression plots
• Cleaner statistical visualizations

Best for

• Exploratory data analysis
• Statistical research projects

Computer Vision and Image Analysis

OpenCV

https://opencv.org

What it is
Computer vision library.

What it does well
• Image processing
• Object detection
• Video analysis
• Facial recognition models

Best for

• Engineering projects
• Robotics
• AI image classification

Bioinformatics and Specialized Science

Biopython

https://biopython.org

What it is
Tools for biological computation.

What it does well
• DNA sequence analysis
• Protein structure analysis
• Bioinformatics research

Best for

• Molecular biology projects
• Genetics research

Astropy

https://www.astropy.org

What it is
Astronomy research tools.

What it does well
• Astronomical calculations
• Image processing for space data
• Coordinate transformations

Best for
Astronomy and physics projects

Against all Odds: Inside Statistics

https://www.learner.org/series/against-all-odds-inside-statistics/

Crash Course in Statistics

https://thecrashcourse.com/topic/statistics/

Data Classroom

https://about.dataclassroom.com/

Beginner Level

Requires minimal coding and are accessible to students with little statistical background.

CODAP

https://codap.concord.org

• Web based drag and drop analysis platform
• Excellent for exploratory data analysis
• Ideal for middle school and early high school

Jamovi

https://www.jamovi.org

• GUI based
• Built on R but no coding required
• Strong for t tests, ANOVA, regression

JASP

https://jasp-stats.org

• User friendly interface
• Strong for traditional and Bayesian statistics
• Great alternative to SPSS

SOFA Statistics

https://www.sofastatistics.com

• Point and click interface
• Simple hypothesis testing and visualization
• Good transition tool beyond spreadsheets

Tableau Public

https://public.tableau.com

• Strong data visualization
• Public projects only
• Good for pattern recognition and exploratory work

Intermediate Level

These tools introduce scripting or deeper analytical capability while still being accessible.

PSPP

https://www.gnu.org/software/pspp/

• Open source SPSS alternative
• Syntax option available
• Strong for survey data analysis

Gretl

https://gretl.sourceforge.net

• Econometrics focused
• GUI plus scripting
• Strong for regression modeling

Orange Data Mining

https://orangedatamining.com

• Visual workflow builder
• Includes statistics and machine learning
• Excellent bridge between statistics and AI

KNIME Analytics Platform

https://www.knime.com

• Open source
• Visual analytics workflows
• Supports advanced modeling

GNU Octave

https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/

• MATLAB alternative
• Numerical computing
• Strong for engineering and physics projects

Advanced Level

Requires coding but provide full research level capability comparable to commercial software.

R

https://cran.r-project.org

• Industry standard statistical programming language
• Massive library ecosystem
• Used in academic research

RStudio Desktop

https://posit.co/download/rstudio-desktop/

• Free IDE for R
• Makes R more accessible

Python with Statistical Libraries

• Core libraries:

NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Statsmodels, 

Matplotlib

• Free via:

https://www.anaconda.com/products/distribution
https://colab.research.google.com

• Full statistical computing and machine learning capability

Jupyter Notebook

https://jupyter.org

• Interactive coding notebooks
• Supports R, Python, and more

Google Colab

https://colab.research.google.com

• Cloud based notebooks
• No installation required
• Excellent for schools with limited IT support

3D Modeling and CAD

Beginner 

Tinkercad

Browser based
https://www.tinkercad.com
• 3D modeling
• Circuit simulation
• Excellent for middle and high school
• No installation required

SketchUp Free

Browser based
https://app.sketchup.com
• 3D modeling
• Strong for architecture and environmental design
• Public projects

Intermediate

FreeCAD

Download required
https://www.freecad.org
• Parametric modeling
• Mechanical design
• Open source

SolveSpace

Download required
https://solvespace.com
• Lightweight parametric CAD
• Runs on modest computers

LibreCAD

Download required
https://librecad.org
• 2D technical drafting

OpenSCAD

Download required
https://openscad.org
• Script based CAD
• Excellent for computational design projects

Advanced

BRL CAD

Download required
https://brlcad.org
• Solid modeling
• Research level capability

Electronics and Circuit Design

Beginner

Tinkercad Circuits

Browser based
https://www.tinkercad.com
• Circuit simulation
• Arduino simulation

EasyEDA

Browser based
https://easyeda.com
• PCB design
• Public projects free

Fritzing

Download required
https://fritzing.org
• Arduino and electronics diagrams

Intermediate and Advanced

LTspice

Download required
https://www.analog.com/ltspice
• Industry standard analog circuit simulation

QUCS S

Download required
https://ra3xdh.github.io
• Circuit simulator

KiCad

Download required
https://kicad.org
• Open source PCB design

Engineering Simulation and Analysis

SimScale Community Plan

Browser based
https://www.simscale.com
• Cloud simulation
• Public projects only
• Computational fluid dynamics and structural analysis

GNU Octave

Download Required

https://www.gnu.org/software/octave
• Numerical computing
• MATLAB alternative

OpenModelica

Download Required

https://openmodelica.org
• Systems modeling and simulation

Elmer FEM

Download Required

https://www.csc.fi/web/elmer
• Finite element analysis

CalculiX

Download Required

https://www.calculix.de
• Structural FEA

Code Aster

Download Required

https://www.code-aster.org
• Advanced structural simulation

Robotics and Mechatronics

VEXcode VR

Browser based
https://vr.vex.com
• Virtual robotics programming

Webots

Download Required

https://cyberbotics.com
• Robotics simulator

Gazebo

Download Required

https://gazebosim.org
• Advanced robotics simulation

3D Printing and Fabrication

Ultimaker Cura

Download required
https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
• 3D print slicer

PrusaSlicer

Download required
https://www.prusa3d.com/prusaslicer
• Open source slicer

Geospatial and Environmental Engineering

QGIS

Download required
https://qgis.org
• Geographic Information Systems
• Excellent for environmental, civil, and urban planning projects

Structural and Civil Engineering Tools

SkyCiv Free Tools

Browser based
https://skyciv.com/free-tools
• Beam calculators
• Structural basics

Visual Workflow and Data Driven Engineering

Google Colab

Browser based
https://colab.research.google.com
• Python based engineering modeling
• No installation required

Orange Data Mining

Download Required

https://orangedatamining.com
• Visual workflow builder

KNIME

Download Required

https://www.knime.com

• Engineering analytics workflows