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 champions, represent Washington at ISEF, making it a highly respected platform for student science projects.

WSSEF has a long history of promoting STEM education, encouraging scientific inquiry, and fostering innovation among students. It provides an opportunity for young scientists to showcase their research, gain feedback from expert judges, and build valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Qualifying Regional Fairs

Students typically earn a spot at WSSEF by competing in one of several regional fairs across the state. The main qualifying fairs include:

• Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair (CSRSEF) – Serves students in King and Snohomish counties.
• Discovery Regional (South Sound) – Covers Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam, and Grays Harbor counties. Students from this region may also have the option to register directly for WSSEF if their regional fair is unavailable.
• Mid-Columbia Regional (MCRSEF) – Includes eastern Washington counties such as Adams, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.
• Southwest Washington RSEF (SWWSEF) – Serves Wahkiakum, Skamania, Pacific, Cowlitz, and Clark counties.
• Eastern Washington RSEF (EWRSEF) – Includes Stevens, Lincoln, Spokane, Pend Oreille, Ferry, and Whitman counties.
• Northwest Washington RSEF (NWRSEF) – Covers Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties.

Regional Fair Eligibility by Grade Level (Middle School vs. High School)

Regional Fair	Grades Accepted	Notes / Source
CSRSEF (Central Sound Regional)	High School only (grades 9–12)	CSRSEF’s eligibility is for grades 9–12. (From “Fairs in WA State” page) (Central Sound Fair)
Discovery Regional (South Sound / DRSEF)	K–12 / all grades	The WSSEF listing shows Discovery as “Grades K – 12” for its region. (wssef.org)
Mid-Columbia Regional (MCRSEF / MCSF)	Grades 6–12	MCSF rules state any student in grades 6–12 is eligible. (midcolumbiasciencefair.org) WSSEF’s regional fairs page also lists Mid-Columbia as grades 6–12. (wssef.org)
Southwest Washington RSEF (SWWSEF)	High School only (grades 9–12)	The WSSEF regional fair listing states SW Washington is grades 9–12. (wssef.org)
Eastern Washington RSEF (EWRSEF)	Grades 6–12	WSSEF’s regional fair page lists Eastern Washington’s region as “Grades 6 – 12.” (wssef.org)
Northwest Washington RSEF (NWRSEF)	Grades 6–12	WSSEF’s “Regional Science & Engineering Fairs” lists NWRSEF as grades 6–12 (affiliation pending, but that’s the standard) (wssef.org)

Students from King and Snohomish counties who wish to advance to the state level must first compete at the Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair (CSRSEF). As the CSRSEF website explains: “Those students in King and Snohomish counties who want to compete at the state level need to participate at CSRSEF. It is up to the fair director to give you permission to compete at the Washington State Fair if you do not participate in CSRSEF—she only does so in very special circumstances. Those who compete at other competitions or have sports-related obligations will NOT be granted a waiver to compete at WSSEF.”

👉 If your regional fair doesn’t admit middle schoolers (or doesn’t exist in your county), middle school students may need to register directly with WSSEF (if allowed for that county).

Tentative Deadlines

While each regional fair sets its own deadlines, here’s a general guideline for planning:

• Regional Fair Registration: Usually opens September–November and closes January–February (depending on the fair).
• Regional Fairs: Typically held February–March, with exact dates varying by region.
• WSSEF Registration: Opens after regional fairs conclude, generally in March.
• WSSEF Fair Weekend: Usually takes place in late March, spanning two days for different grade groups.

Competition Categories

WSSEF projects are judged across a wide range of STEM categories, aligned with ISEF disciplines. These include:

• Life Sciences: Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biomedical & Health Sciences, Cellular & Molecular Biology.
• Behavioral & Social Sciences: Human Behavior, Psychology.
• Physical Sciences: Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy, Materials Science, Mathematics.
• Engineering & Technology: Embedded Systems, Robotics & Intelligent Machines, Environmental Engineering, Energy: Sustainable Materials & Design.
• Interdisciplinary: Projects that combine multiple fields, such as Technology Enhances the Arts or Translational Medical Science.

When registering, students choose the category that best fits their project. Judges are assigned according to expertise, ensuring projects are evaluated fairly.

Preparing for WSSEF: Tips for Students and Parents

Success at WSSEF requires preparation, organization, and teamwork. Here are some best practices:

Plan Your Timeline

Create a family calendar marking key milestones, including proposal drafts, experiment dates, and SRC (Scientific Review Committee) approvals. Setting a schedule ensures the project progresses steadily without last-minute stress.

Choose a Strong Topic

Students should select projects that genuinely interest them. Passion for the subject helps sustain motivation. Parents should act as guides rather than decision-makers, supporting research and brainstorming while letting the student take ownership.

Follow the Scientific Method

Ensure the project has a clear hypothesis, controlled experiments, and systematic data collection. Any projects involving living subjects, chemicals, or electrical equipment should follow SRC guidelines and safety rules. Keep a detailed logbook to track research and results.

Guide, Don’t Do

Parents can provide guidance and support but should avoid completing tasks for the student. Ask open-ended questions, help troubleshoot equipment, and encourage independent problem-solving. This builds critical thinking and confidence.

Prepare the Presentation

Students should practice explaining their project verbally. Visual aids like display boards should be student-created, with clear graphs and photos. Ensure all paperwork is complete, including abstracts, safety forms, and any required documentation.

Leverage Resources

Use WSSEF’s official guides, project tips, and teacher or mentor support. Local science clubs, libraries, or online forums can provide inspiration and advice. Mentors can review drafts and suggest experiments without doing the work for the student.

Emphasize Learning Over Winning

Science fairs are about the process as much as the outcome. Encourage children to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes. The experience builds real scientific inquiry skills and prepares students for future STEM competitions.

By starting early, staying organized, and leveraging support systems, families can make WSSEF a rewarding and enriching experience. With careful planning and curiosity, students can create standout projects and enjoy the excitement of presenting their work in Washington’s premier STEM competition.

👉 If you’d like guidance to prepare for WSSEF, feel free to fill out the form below and start your student’s STEM competitions journey today!