Celebrating California’s Future Scientists and Engineers
You can inspire and empower the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and leaders in the fields of science and engineering.
The California Science and Engineering Fair annually hosts nearly 1000 students who have qualified to participate from about 30 affiliated county and multi-county regional science fairs throughout the entire State of California. Their projects are evaluated by nearly 400 practicing scientists and engineers serving as judges determining roughly $40,000 in awards.
History
In the Fall of 1951, a group from the California Science Teachers Association was inspired by the success of the National Science Fair held on the East Coast to hold the first science fair west of the Mississippi in the Los Angeles County Museum (now the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History) on April 19-20, 1952.
That first fair involved 237 students from ten southern California counties and was initially named the Southern California Science Fair. The fair gradually attracted more students from other counties throughout the State, and by 1959, the fair had outgrown its original venue and moved to the nearby California Museum of Science and Industry (now the California Science Center).
Over the years, the fair, by then renamed the California State Science Fair, was widely recognized as the de facto State Science Fair. That status changed in 1990 when the fair was designated the Official Science Fair of the State of California by joint action of the State Senate and Assembly through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 141.
The fair was renamed again in 2018 as the California Science and Engineering Fair. The pandemic caused the 2020 fair to be canceled, and the following four fairs were each required to be held online.
In the Fall of 2023, the California Science Center transferred responsibility for all aspects of the California Science and Engineering Fair to the California Science and Engineering Fair Foundation, a 501(c)(3) California Public Benefit Nonprofit Corporation. The CSEF Foundation is working to return the fair in 2025 to the in-person format that its students (and judges) desire and deserve.
The California Science and Engineering Fair has been a transformative experience for me. It’s not just a competition; it’s a journey of self-discovery and a celebration of curiosity. The opportunity to present my research among peers and experts has fueled my passion for science and given me the confidence to dream big. CSEF has not only broadened my scientific horizons but has also shown me that, as a student, my ideas and contributions matter. It’s an empowering platform that encourages us to explore, innovate, and be the architects of our own futures possible!
• Anthony, Grade 8
As a judge at the California Science and Engineering Fair, I am continually amazed by the caliber of projects and the depth of understanding exhibited by the young minds participating. The fair serves as a testament to the potential of our future scientists and engineers. Witnessing the enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication of these students reaffirms my belief in the power of scientific inquiry. CSEF is not just about evaluating projects; it’s about fostering a community of thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.
• Dr. Easton, Judge
Support the fair
Support the California Science and Engineering Fair by making a donation. Your financial contribution ensures the continued success and growth of the fair, inspiring and educating future generations of Californians in the worlds of science and engineering.