Official Government Website

Idaho Science & Engineering Fairs

Due to an insufficient number of qualifying projects, the 2024 Idaho Science & Engineering Fair (IDSEF) has been cancelled. We are currently working to restructure and improve this program for the future. IDSEF will return for the 2024-2025 school year.

Idaho Science & Engineering Fairs
About the Fair

Each spring, the Idaho STEM Action Center and its partners proudly host the Idaho Science & Engineering Fair (IDSEF) for Idaho students in grades 9-12. Participating students engage in original STEM research projects throughout the school year that allow them to explore their interests and learn/implement the same techniques used by scholars in their field. The IDSEF event provides the opportunity for these students to present their findings to the public and a panel of expert judges. A variety of honors and scholarships are awarded each year to recognize students with exceptional research projects.

History

Students with the top projects from around Idaho have had the opportunity to attend/compete at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. The STEM Action Center and its partners pay all expenses for participants who qualify for the international competition. (Learn more about the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair at https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/)

Since 2017, the Idaho Science & Engineering Fair (IDSEF) has consisted of 3 separate regional competitions: the Northern Idaho Science & Engineering Fair (NISEF), the Western Idaho Science & Engineering Fair (WISEF), and the Eastern Idaho Science & Engineering Fair (EISEF). However, transitions in the program’s structure and staffing have necessitated a change for this year. More information coming soon. 

Participant Travel to the Competition

We recognize the importance of increasing accessibility for participants across Idaho and are exploring options to return IDSEF to 3 regional competitions in the future. To support participants in attending this year’s state-wide competition, the STEM AC will cover travel costs and lodging for students and their sponsoring educator in accordance with State of Idaho and STEM AC travel policies. Please contact idsef@stem.idaho.gov for more information. (NOTE: If a team reserves a blocked room for the competition and does not attend, they may be required to reimburse the STEM AC for any costs incurred)

Educators supporting student projects competing in their regional Idaho Science & Engineering Fair may apply for grant funding. Just click the IDSEF Support Sponsorship button above!

STUDENT PROJECT DATES

Zfairs Registration Opens:
TBD

Zfairs Registration Closes:
TBD

Forms Deadline:
TBD

All Materials Deadline:
TBD

Judging Starts:
TBD

Program Manager: Nate Dean
Program Support: Halle Holdaway

Registration Information for the 2024 Competition

Students & Teachers

Students and Teachers can visit id.zfairs.com to create an account and complete forms you need for your project.

Judges

Judging is an extremely important part of the fair and is one of the most valuable experiences for our students. Do you or others on your team have a background in:

  • Animal Science, Biomedical, and/or Microbiology
  • Behavioral and/or Social Sciences,
  • Earth, Environmental, and/or Plants
  • Engineering
  • Math, Computer Science, and/or Embedded Systems,
  • Physical Sciences (Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Materials, and others)

Qualifications include: MA, MS, or Ph.D. in a related field or BA or BS in the category chosen to judge or in a closely related field, along with three or more years of relevant experience.

To register as a Judge, please follow this link to fill out our registration form and we will reach out as we approach the event.

Contact: idsef@stem.idaho.gov

Idaho Science and Engineering Fairs Archives

2023 IDSEF Partners

NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium
  • Wency Suo: Boise High School
  • Luke Bousfield and James Liu: Timberline High School
  • Saree Hillstead and Danica Knapp: Hagerman High School
  • Brecken Allegood and Nathan Elison: Hillcrest High School
  • Jesse St. Onge: Lewiston High School
  • Caden Perry: Moscow High School

2022 IDSEF Partners

  • Lindsey Holtom: Hillcrest High School
  • Nicole Xiao: Moscow High School
  • Wency Suo: Boise High School
  • Camden Barger & Bailey Vanderwall: Grangeville High School
  • Jessica Douglas: Emmett High School
  • Seth Tuma: Idaho Virtual Academy

2021 IDSEF Partners

  • Cecily Puckett: Kamiah High School
  • Mya Barger: Kamiah High School
  • Jimin RYU & Nicolas Medapalli: Timberline High School
  • Tavian Robertson: Nampa Christian High School
  • Rhea Kalivas: Pocatello High School
  • Elias Sanders: Idaho Falls High School

2020 ISEF Partners

  • Paige Lindsley: Grangeville High School
  • Cecily Puckett: Kamiah High School
  • Lukas Keller: Emmett High School
  • Melina Mohammadi: Treasure Valley Math and Science Center
  • Hayli Austin and Madisyn Facer: Pocatello High School
  • TJ Herndon – Vision Charter Academy
  • Alex Howard – Timberline HS
  • Jieyan Wang – Moscow HS
  • Kayson Hansen – Twin Falls HS
  • Amrit Singh, Grangeville HS
  • Kayson and Kylie Hansen, Twin Falls HS
  • Brooklyn Legg, Luke Campbell, TJ Herndon, Vision Charter School
  • Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Centennial HS

2022 Western Idaho Science & Engineering Fair

2022 Eastern Idaho Science & Engineering Fair

2022 Northern Idaho Science & Engineering Fair

Past Idaho Science & Engineering Fairs

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