Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair

More than 450 students participated in the 85th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) in April of 2024, and the virtual awards ceremony was live streamed Fri., April 5th. The 2025 PRSEF Competition will be held on April 1, 2025 for Grades 6–8 and on April 2, 2025 for Grades 9–12.

Organization

Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) invites middle and high school students to take on the challenge of designing, implementing, and communicating an original experiment while competing for cash prizes and scholarships. PRSEF is open to all students in grades 6–12 from the 21 counties within Western Pennsylvania and Garrett County, Maryland. The Science Fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Society for Science, which runs the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge middle school competition.

Competition

Each year, students from nearly 100 schools participate in Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair. Students spend the 12 months leading up to the Science Fair developing and executing a project by utilizing the scientific method.

The Science Fair is supported by various foundations, universities, colleges, industries, corporations, and professional societies.

Affiliations

Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair is affiliated with the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) and sends four Senior Division students on an all-expenses paid trip to attend ISEF every year. ALL Senior Division students who participate in PRSEF may apply to attend Regeneron ISEF. See below for Regeneron ISEF application deadlines.

Additionally, PRSEF judges nominated the first and second place category award winners in the Junior and Intermediate Divisions to attend the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge

Important Dates and Deadlines

Teacher/School Registration OPENS
– Sept. 1, 2024

Teacher/School Registration ENDS
– Nov. 22, 2024

All pre-approval forms must be signed and submitted (this includes schools who have their own Science Fair)
– Nov. 22, 2024

*Early bird nonrefundable registration fee due $25/project (Schools with financial hardship may request funding support. on school letterhead. See below)
– Dec. 1, 2024

All PRSEF forms due
– Jan. 10, 2025

Abstracts due
– Feb. 7, 2025

ISEF research paper due (by 11:59 pm)
– Feb. 23, 2025

*Registration fee due $50/project
– March 7, 2025

PRSEF Junior (Grade 6) and Intermediate (Grades 7 and 8) Competition
– April 1, 2025

PRSEF Senior (Grades 9 and 12) Competition
– April 2, 2025

Virtual Awards Ceremony
– April 4, 2025

PRSEF Showcase for all First Place winners
– April 5, 2025

ISEF Winners Mandatory Meeting
– April 5, 2025

ISEF will be held in Columbus, Ohio on May 11–16, 2025

*The nonrefundable registration fee of $50/Project is due by March 7, 2025; A nonrefundable “Early Bird” registration fee of $25/project is available if paid prior to 12/1/24. Grant funding may be available for schools that qualify. Please contact OrloskyC@CarnegieScienceCenter.Org. Funding requests must be on school letterhead, contain detail on financial need including free/reduced lunch percentage, and must be received by 12/1/24 to be considered.

Mission

The Science Fair facilitates workforce readiness and career awareness by providing an opportunity for students to:

• apply math and science content while igniting a desire for advanced learning in these areas
• assist schools in meeting State and National Standards
• communicate their research to an audience; and
• connect with professionals from various fields of science and engineering

Vision

The Science Fair will become the venue to connect bright and motivated young scientists with this region’s industry, academia, and professional organizations to promote economic development within Western Pennsylvania. Introducing students to the science and technology opportunities within our region will facilitate the cultivation and retention of a tremendous resource – our youth.

Goals

The Science Fair will …

• facilitate partnerships between state and regional science competitions to better serve the students
• implement education programs to assist students and teachers in the Science Fair process
• foster community awareness of regional opportunities in science and technology; and
• partner students with industry and academia through mentorships, internships, and scholarships

Contact Us

Email questions or comments to PRSEF@CarnegieScienceCenter.org or call the Science Fair office at 412.237.1534.