What We Do

The Colorado State Science Fair, Inc. was established in 1977 as a private, non-profit organization to run the Colorado Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF). The CSEF has actually been held annually since 1955 and is the state-level event in a year-long process of local and regional science fairs. Around five thousand students participate in science fair programs state-wide each year. The purpose of the CSEF is to stimulate student interest and encourage students in science and engineering through recognition of their research knowledge, ability and achievement.

Each year, a number of experiences are made available to the student finalists who participate in the CSEF. The CSEF invites a Guest Speaker to give a Keynote to the students, teachers and families and the CSEF arranges tours of university research facilities, providing opportunities for students and their families to see research in action. The CSEF projects are also open to the public for viewing on Friday and Saturday of the fair.

CSEF finalists compete for awards in the categories of Animal Sciences; Behavioral & Social Sciences; Biomedical & Health Sciences; Chemistry; Earth & Environmental Sciences; Energy; Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Mathematics & Computer Sciences; Micro & Molecular Biology; Physics & Astronomy; and Plant Sciences – either as an individual or as a team project.

The CSSF, Inc provides a dynamic platform for CSEF to honor students' excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); providing opportunities for students from all regions of the state to create and showcase their research in environments that nurture interests in STEM and critical thinking; promoting professional skills, high ethical standards, diversity and continuing intellectual development.

The CSEF also has a robust special awards program where around 50 organizations, businesses, and individuals present awards to students based on criteria that are important to them. The judges’ interviews allow the finalists a chance to interact with professional scientists and engineers. Over the years, many students have said that having the chance to meet and speak with their peers about their science projects is the most beneficial aspect of the Colorado Science & Engineering Fair.

Recognition for outstanding research in each of the 12 categories as well as an award for technical writing are presented each year at the CSEF Awards Ceremony. The top 24 Junior Division projects are nominated for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge national competition for middle school students. The top five Senior Division projects are awarded trips to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF) for high school students each year.

From start to finish, and at all levels of participation, the science fair experience is one not only of competition, but also of camaraderie, creativity, cooperation, and education. This is the essence of the logo for the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair.