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3M Young Scientist Challenge: Great STEM Exposure for Middle School
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is an annual U.S. STEM competition for middle school students (grades 5–8). Each entrant creates a 1–2 minute science video that proposes a new solution to an everyday problem. As a “premier middle school science competition,” it offers mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000…
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How to Win the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC)
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) isn’t just another science fair. It’s the nation’s premier STEM competition for middle school students, and one of the most powerful early signals of a future STEM scholar. If you’re a high schooler aiming for a competitive college or a parent looking…
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How Future Forward Labs Help Students Succeed in STEM Research and Science Fairs
Every great research, science fair project or STEM competition entry begins with a spark of curiosity, but transforming that spark into a winning project takes more than just enthusiasm! At Future Forward Labs, we mentor middle and high school students through every stage of the journey, helping them gain the…
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Calendar for 2026 Science Fairs and STEM Competitions Season: Dates and How to Win
If your student is aiming for a future in science, engineering, or medicine, national research competitions are one of the most strategic ways to get noticed by top colleges. This guide includes everything families need to know for the 2026 STEM competition season—what are science fairs, how science fairs work,…
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A Guide to ISEF, the International Science and Engineering Fair
In the pantheon of pre-college academic competitions, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) occupies a singular, almost mythical, place. It is not merely a high school science fair; it is widely regarded as the “Super Bowl” of science competitions, a week-long event that convenes the brightest young scientific…
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Future Forward Labs or Polygence: Which Mentorship Program Is Better for success at Science Fairs?
Future Forward Labs and Polygence are two popular student mentorship platforms, but they serve different purposes. Future Forward Labs specializes in focused STEM research, science fairs preparation, robust week-by-week research plan, and national-level competition support, and Polygence focuses on broad, passion-driven projects across many subjects. If you’re looking for a…
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Science Fair Research Mentorship: Key Takeaways from Our STEM Research Webinar
Science fairs and STEM competitions are no longer about flashy builds or isolated experiments. Judges at top competitions like ISEF, JSHS, and state science fairs are increasingly looking for authentic research thinking, novelty, and scientific rigor. In this blog, we summarize the key takeaways from our STEM Research and Science…
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GENIUS Olympiad: Environmental Innovations through STEM
The GENIUS Olympiad is an annual international competition for high school students focused on solving environmental challenges through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the creative arts. Founded in 2011 by Terra Science and Education, it encourages young people worldwide to tackle global issues like climate change, pollution, and…
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The Complete ISEF Paperwork Checklist (Forms, Approvals, Permits and When You Need Them)
The ISEF forms document and record what will (or did) happen in a project — they’re used by Scientific Review Committees (SRCs) and ISEF to confirm rules, safety and legal compliance. All required forms should be completed before experimentation when prior approval is required. The canonical ISEF forms (what they…
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How CSEF (California Science and Engineering Fair) Can Elevate Your STEM Profile
The California Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF) is one of the most prestigious state-level science fairs in the U.S., bringing together young scientists and engineers from schools across California to present original research projects. For middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students, CSEF offers not only an…
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Guide to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF)
The Texas Science & Engineering Fair (TXSEF) is the state’s premier STEM competition for middle and high school students in Texas. Held each spring at Texas A&M University, TXSEF brings together thousands of young innovators to showcase original research in science, engineering, and technology. It’s a celebration of student creativity,…
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San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF): A Guide for Students and Parents
The Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) is San Diego’s premier regional science fair for grades 6–12. Since 1955, it has offered an inspiring experience in STEM, motivating thousands of local students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The fair challenges young researchers to design…
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Caltech Announces Viva Exam for Research Submitted with College Application
Update from Caltech: 35% of admitted students in a recent class submitted research they conducted in high school – presented at a science fair, published in a respectable journal or as part of classwork. If a student submits research as part of admissions, Caltech will now have a Viva exam (oral…
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Top STEM Award: The Regeneron Science Talent Search
What is STS? The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious high-school STEM competition, focused on original science, technology, engineering or mathematics research by high-school seniors. In the world of science fairs and competitions, STS stands out because entrants submit full research reports (rather than…
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High Schoolers are Reimagining Science
“I’m not interested in LLMs anymore.” — Yann LeCun, Chief AI Scientist at Meta That line made me pause. Not because it dismisses large language models like ChatGPT or DeepSeek, but because it points to something deeper. These models are brilliant with language, but language isn’t intelligence. They can predict,…
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Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS): Your Complete Guide to STEM Fairs and Competitions in Illinois
What Is IJAS? A Gateway for Young STEM Researchers The Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) has served as a keystone institution for budding scientists since 1927. It offers middle- and high-school students a structured chance to plan, conduct, and present original research, competing first in regional fairs and then…
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DVSF Science Fair: Eligibility, Deadlines and How to Qualify Through Regional Fairs
If you’re a middle or high school student (grades 6-12) in Southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, or Delaware, the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) can be your pathway to national recognition and scholarship. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need: eligibility requirements, key deadlines, a full list of regional…
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Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF): A STEM Showcase for Students
The Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) is the premier statewide science fair in Washington, open to students in grades 1–12. It is the official state-level STEM competition and serves as a qualifier for the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). Top WSSEF winners, along with regional fair…
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Guide to the North Carolina Science & Engineering Fair (NCSEF): Pathway to Innovation and ISEF
The North Carolina Science & Engineering Fair (NCSEF) is the state’s premier student science competition, engaging learners from grades 3 through 12 in original research. Sponsored by the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation, NCSEF is also the official state affiliate of the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). NCSEF’s…
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The Ultimate Guide to the Florida Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF of Florida)
At the heart of Florida’s academic calendar, the State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) brings together the state’s boldest young problem-solvers. Every year, middle and high school students from across the state come together to present research that tackles some of today’s most pressing challenges. For many, SSEF is not…
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Florida Regional Science Fairs: Your Pathway to SSEF 2025–26
Before students take the stage at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida (SSEF), they must first qualify at a Regional Science and Engineering Fair (RSEF). These regional fairs are where local innovation shines, and they serve as the official gateway to the state’s premier STEM competition. If you’re…
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4 Years of CSRSEF Winners (2022-2025)
For decades, the stereotype of a high school science fair project was a baking soda volcano or a potato battery. But in the Pacific Northwest, that image has been shattered. The Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair (CSRSEF), that serves King and Snohomish counties, has evolved into a powerhouse…
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Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AZSEF): Everything You Need to Know
In a world leaning ever more on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), competitions like the Arizona Science & Engineering Fair (AZSEF) give students the chance to do STEM, not just study it. Presenting a research project at a science fair or engineering fair doesn’t just check a box—it builds…
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Don’t Let Science Fair Prep Steal Your Winter Break
The “Holiday Ruin” Anxiety is Real We all have a vision of the perfect holiday season: celebratory dinners, watching movies, drinking cocoa, and actually relaxing with our families. But for parents of STEM students, a different vision often creeps in—a sense of dread that the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks…
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Sign Up For FREE 3-Part Webinar Series: Master the Art of STEM Research
Science fair season is here and you need to ensure your research project is of utmost quality. In this essential three-part series, experienced scientists and PhD mentors from Future Forward Labs will demystify the research process and also tackle subject-specific nuances important to know while doing your science fair projects…
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Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators – A Complete Guide to the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is more than just a competition—it’s a launchpad for the nation’s brightest high school students to explore their passions in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), JSHS…
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Which High School Science Fairs Matter Most in 2026? A U.S.A Student and Parent Guide
For ambitious high school students, science fairs are more than competitions — they are launchpads for future careers and college opportunities. Many of today’s innovators in fields like biotechnology, AI, and clean energy first tested their ideas on science fair tables. Participating and winning at the right fair can propel…
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The Best Middle School Science Fairs in the USA (2026 Guide for Parents and Students)
Middle school science fairs in the United States are more than just experiments on poster boards. They’re training grounds for future innovators and a pathway to national recognition programs like the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC). For families, knowing which fairs matter most can help students showcase their work…
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Who is Eligible for Regeneron ISEF?
Students eligible for Regeneron ISEF are high school–level researchers (grades 9–12 or equivalent) who are under 20 years old as of May 1 of the competition year and who qualify through an official ISEF-affiliated science fair. The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair is the world’s largest pre-college STEM research…
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Time needed for a Strong Science Fair Project
Your student wants to participate in a science fair and you/they are wondering how much time is right to make a strong project, because they don’t just want to participate, they want to win. What Does It Truly Take to Excel at a Science Fair? Exceptional science fair outcomes are…
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