All 50 States

State Science Fair
Resources

Competition pathways, affiliate fairs, key dates, and registration links for every state. Every state's pathway to ISEF is different — find yours below.

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Ohio in depth

Ohio Science Fair Programs

Ohio has two separate pathways to ISEF — understanding both is essential for Ohio students and teachers.

OAS Official Site →
Ohio is unique: Unlike most states where there is one qualifying pathway to ISEF, Ohio has two separate ISEF-qualifying competitions. The Ohio Academy of Science (OAS) pathway goes through district fairs to State Science Day. The Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair (BSEF) in Summit County is a separate, independently run ISEF affiliate that directly qualifies students. Students in Northeast Ohio may be eligible for either or both pathways depending on their district.

Pathway 1: OAS (Statewide)

The primary statewide pathway. School fair winners advance to one of nine OAS district science days, then top district projects advance to OAS State Science Day at Ohio State University in May. Top state projects qualify for Regeneron ISEF.

ohiosci.org →

Pathway 2: BSEF (Northeast Ohio)

The Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair is an independently run ISEF affiliate held in the Akron/Summit County area each March. BSEF is its own qualifying pathway — top BSEF projects go directly to ISEF without going through OAS State Science Day. Primarily serves students in the greater Akron region.

bsef.org →

OAS District Contacts

Contact your district coordinator to register your school fair and get district-specific deadlines. FairGame maintains relationships with all Ohio districts and can facilitate introductions.

District 1 — Northwest Ohio
Lucas, Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, Erie, Huron counties and surrounding area
ohiosci.org →
District 2 — Northeast Ohio
Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning counties
ohiosci.org →
District 3 — North Central Ohio
Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Seneca counties
ohiosci.org →
District 4 — Central Ohio
Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison counties
ohiosci.org →
District 5 — East Central Ohio
Stark, Summit, Portage, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Coshocton counties
ohiosci.org →
District 6 — Southeast Ohio
Muskingum, Morgan, Perry, Hocking, Athens, Meigs, Vinton counties
ohiosci.org →
District 7 — Southwest Ohio
Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Montgomery, Greene counties
ohiosci.org →
District 8 — West Central Ohio
Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert, Hardin, Logan, Shelby, Miami counties
ohiosci.org →
District 9 — South Central Ohio
Ross, Pike, Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia, Jackson, Highland, Fayette counties
ohiosci.org →

Can't find your county? Email us and we'll connect you with your district coordinator directly.

National competitions

Beyond the state level, top projects can compete for major national and international awards. Most require state-level qualification first.

Regeneron ISEF

The world's largest pre-college science competition. Qualifiers come from affiliated state and regional fairs. Awards exceed $8 million annually including a Grand Award of $75,000.

societyforscience.org →

Broadcom MASTERS

Top middle school STEM fair participants nationwide. Nomination through affiliated fairs. $25,000 top prize plus significant STEM scholarship awards.

societyforscience.org →

Junior Science & Humanities Symposium

Research paper competition for grades 9 to 12. Regional symposia advance winners to national. Significant scholarship awards and military sponsorship.

jshs.org →

Regeneron Science Talent Search

The nation's oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors. 40 finalists invited to Washington D.C., top award $250,000.

societyforscience.org →

American Junior Academy of Science

AJAS fellows are selected from state STEM competitions. Attend the AAAS annual meeting and present research to professional scientists.

ajas.info →

National Youth Science Camp

Delegate program for top graduating seniors. Two delegates selected per state each year based on science competition achievement and STEM leadership.

nysc.org →
Can't find what you need?

FairGame can help you navigate your state's specific competition pathway. Email us →