Student Information

Science & Engineering Fairs provide an opportunity for students, 3rd through 12th grades, who are interested in science and technology to pursue their personal areas of interest and to display their research as a presentation in a public competitive forum. The NC Science and Engineering Fair (NCSEF) works to create enthusiasm in science and technology while encouraging project-based inquiry. Benefits of participation in the NCSEF include:

• Preparation for college and business and insight into career options
• Builds confidence
• Increases organizational and process skills
• Improves writing and communication skills
• Requires creativity
• Improves visual/spatial thinking skills
• Opportunity to win awards, college scholarships and other prizes

Students generally first compete at their own local school (or through homeschool). (see where to start below if your school doesn’t host a science fair).

Projects selected by the judges will be eligible to advance to your regional fair and will be required to register online in STEMWizard.

This is the next step in a road that can lead to the state fair held in Raleigh and, for some young North Carolina researchers like you, to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for grades 9-12 or the Theremo Fisher Scientific Junior innovators Challenge for grades 6-8.

If your project is selected to advance to the state fair in Raleigh, your information and any forms submitted will be pre-populated to the state level. You’ll be asked to complete registration at that state level and pay a $35 registration fee that helps cover costs of putting on the fair each year. Some limited financial assistance is available for registration and travel expenses. Please contact your regional director for information.

So you want to do a science or engineering project for the fair?  Great! 

The very first thing you should do is find out if your school holds a science and engineering fair.  Ask you science teacher or principal. Science fairs are often supported by the local PTA or PTSA.

If your school doesn’t have a fair, contact the director of your regional fair to verify your eligibility and how to complete the registration process.

Once you verify your regional fair eligibilty, it’s time to develop your research question or engineering problem and get to work!  BEFORE you start collecting data, please use ISEF Rules Wizard and complete the quick survey that will inform you of the required forms based on your proposed research topic.

We’ve put together a bunch of other helpful tips and information and basic timeline to get you started and keep you going through competition day.