Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair

More than 450 students participated in the 84th Annual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) in March of 2023, and the virtual awards ceremony was live streamed Fri., March 31. The 2024 PRSEF Competition will be held on April 2, 2024 for Grades 6-8 and on April 3, 2024 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. 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 judges nominated the first, second, and third place category award winners in the Junior and Intermediate Divisions to attend the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge .

Important Dates and Deadlines

Teacher/School Registration OPENS
– Sept. 1, 2023

Teacher/School Registration ENDS
– Nov. 18, 2023

All pre-approval forms must be signed and submitted (this includes schools who have their own Science Fair)
– Nov. 18, 2023

All PRSEF forms due
– Jan. 5, 2023

Abstracts due
– Feb. 2, 2024

ISEF research paper due (by 11:59 pm)
– Feb. 25, 2024

Registration fee due $50 project; fee waived for schools >40% FRL
– March 1, 2024

PRSEF Junior (Grade 6) and Intermediate (Grades 7 and 8) Competition
– April 2, 2024

PRSEF Senior (Grades 9 and 12) Competition
– April 3, 2024

Virtual Awards Ceremony
– April 5, 2024

PRSEF Showcase for all First Place winners
– April 6, 2024

ISEF will be held in Los Angeles, California on May 12–17, 2024

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.