The North Carolina Science Fair Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. We are grateful to our partners and sponsors whose contributions of human, technical, and financial resources allows us to serve the students and teachers of North Carolina.
Who We Are
The North Carolina Science Fair Foundation (NCSFF) is a non-profit organization whose purpose and programming promotes STEM education at the elementary, middle, and high-school levels by engaging students and teachers in inquiry-based learning and student-led research.
NCSFF is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization that is the proud sponsor of the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair (NCSEF). Founded in April 2009, the NCSFF is the coordinating sponsor of the NCSEF, now in its 36th year, providing the human, technical, and financial resources needed to inspire innovation and excellence in student-led STEM research.
The NCSEF is the state level affiliated fair with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). ISEF is organized by the Society for Science dedicated to the public engagement in scientific research and education. Their vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, inspire. Through this affiliation, selected NCSEF students progress to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC) for grades 5-8 and the Regeneron ISEF for grades 9-12. ISEF provides the rules and regulations governing student engaged research and safety for the NCSEF.
Goals and Funding Priorities
Goal 1: Internal and External Communication
Implement a communication plan linking NCSFF with its internal and external stakeholders including: schools/school systems, educators, students, parents, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and broad media outlets.
Goal 2: Outreach and Professional Development
Increase awareness and knowledge of educators, student sponsors, and fair directors and volunteers in guiding student-led research to meet the requirements of International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
Goal 3: Board Development
Invest time and energy in improving the organizational performance of the NCSFF Board of Directors to achieve its strategic initiatives.
Goal 4: Resource Acquisition and Management
Implement a plan for cultivating, acquiring, and managing resources to support North Carolina science and engineering fairs, participation of winners at competitions, and other NCSFF priorities.
5: Regional Fairs
Improve support for regional fairs and directors in promoting high-quality, student-led research that meets ISEF requirements.
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Bylaws
Board of Directors
Officers and State Fair Director
Regional Directors
Board Members At-Large
- Mohammad Ahmed – North Carolina Central University
- Chris Ashwell – West Virginia University
- Swarali Athavale – Credit Suisse
- Pooja Basu – Fidelity Investments
- Max Benitz – Retired – Clorox-Burt Bees
- Ishaan Brar – Duke University Undergraduate Student
- Wayne Capps – Public School Forum of NC
- Judy Day – Retired – NC State
- Rachel Graham – UNC Chapel Hill
- Pamela Lovin – GrantProse
- Manley Midgett – Meredith College
- Scott Ryals – NCDENR
- Frieda Sanders – Kriya Therapeutics
- James Tyus – Zoetis, Inc.
Goals & Funding Priorities
The North Carolina Science Fair Foundation remains committed to reaching more NC students to raise awareness and provide opportunities for engaging in scientific inquiry and engineering design research. We strive each year to increase our reach to youth from historically underrepresented populations in STEM and to model and extend diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization, the families and students we serve, and the fields of science and engineering.
Opportunities for Students
Priority 1: Host Opportunities for all North Carolina Students to engage in student-led research.
NCSFF provides opportunities for all students in NC to explore science and engineering through the inquiry and engineering design process. Through this engagement students develop conceptual understanding of concepts, and also develop college & career readiness skills including critical thinking, communication, and science and engineering practices used in the field. While we strive to reach students in every county in NC, to date we have served students in 63 out of 100 NC Counties.
Raise STEM Awareness
Priority 2: Raise awareness of STEM and STEM College & Career Pathways.
NCSFF is dedicated to raising awareness of STEM fields & career pathways. We work to strategically represent stem professionals and alumni students from all regions of NC and from a diverse range of races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and career pathways. As we focus on raising awareness, we seek to positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.
Professional Learning
Priority 3: Provide Professional Learning Support
NCSFF seeks to provide professional learning support to all who engage with the Foundation. We continue to provide formal workshops on supporting student led research throughout the year. In addition to teacher learning support, the Foundation also provides training support for volunteers who engage as members of the Scientific Review Committee and Judges for the fair.
How Business, Foundations, Organizations, and Individuals Can Give
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, NCSFF accepts donations from corporations, organizations, foundations and individuals. All donations are tax deductible.
Questions
If you have questions or would like to support student-led STEM research by contributing to the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair, please contact Dr. Tom Williams at development@ncsciencefair.org or 919-815-6658