Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair

The 84th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) will take place in 2023. Stay tuned for the official date and location!

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 Broadcom MASTERS middle school competition.

Competition

Each year, approximately 1,000 students from more than 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. See a complete listing of our sponsors here.

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 will nominate the first, second, and third place category award winners in the Junior and Intermediate Divisions to attend the Broadcom MASTERS Middle School Competition held annually in October in Washington, DC.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair Deadlines:

School Registration Opens
– Thurs., Sept. 1, 2022

School Registration Deadline
– Fri., Nov. 18, 2022

Student Registration Deadline for projects requiring pre-approval
– Fri., Nov. 18, 2022

Note: All projects involving potentially hazardous biological agents, human subjects (including surveys), non-human vertebrate animals, or potentially hazardous chemicals, activities, and devices require pre-approval. The pre-approval deadline also applies to students from schools who have their own science fair.

Student Registration Deadline
– Fri., Jan. 6, 2023

Student Registration Deadline for schools with science fairs
– Fri., Feb. 3, 2023

Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair
– Official date coming soon!

Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony
– Official date coming soon!

Regeneron ISEF Deadlines (9–12 grade only):

One copy of the student’s research paper and application must be emailed to PRSEF@CarnegieScienceCenter.org.

ISEF preliminary application form submission deadline
– Official date coming soon!

Final paperwork must be submitted to ISEF by winners
– Official date coming soon!

Student must attend ISEF prep session – April 2023

ISEF will be held in Dallas, Texas on May 7–12, 2023. 

Note: Student must be a PRSEF participant and complete the appropriate preliminary paperwork to apply for ISEF.

Mission

The Science Fair will facilitate 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.

STEM Center Founding Partners include Bayer, Chevron, Duquesne Light Co., Eaton, FedEx, Kennametal Foundation, NOVA Chemicals, and PPG Foundation.