Texas Science Fairs by County: Where Young Innovators Shine Bright

Science fairs are much more than poster boards, long days, and kids dressed as adults. Although you’ll surely encounter a few of those, science fairs are an important component of scientific education and serve as one of the largest platforms for highlighting STEM research and innovation among high school students in Texas, in the United States, and around the world.

Why Participate in a Texas Regional Science Fair?

Opportunities to Showcase Talent

Science fairs allow students to take ownership of an original research project and present their work to professional scientist judges at local, regional, state, and international levels. On the day of the fair, students have the opportunity to display their work to real scientists and potentially earn recognition by placing at the top of their category.

Building Key Academic and Career Skills

Completing an independent research project is a challenging yet rewarding process that gives students unique insight into STEM methods. Additionally, students build confidence in their research skills, learn how to present effectively to an audience, and — most importantly — dive into a niche subject that fascinates them.

Advancing to State-Level Competitions 

Although each science fair is organized independently (and comes with its own quirks), there is a large, highly organized structure behind the scenes. Specifically, the Society for Science’s International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the largest and most influential science fair in the world. Not only is it the most prestigious science competition for students, but it also sets the rules and guidelines for the majority of large science fairs globally, including those in Texas. These guidelines, updated annually, cover topics ranging from safety requirements to ethics rules and must be strictly followed by all participants.

For each student in Texas, there is a theoretical path to ISEF. However, the route can vary depending on the type of school they attend and their school district. In the early stages, science teachers are often the best resource for guidance on science fair registration. Students who perform well at the school level may qualify for a district fair or advance directly to the corresponding regional fair. (Students may only participate in one regional fair.) Starting at the regional level, the process becomes highly standardized: the top ~10% of participants at the regional fair typically advance to the prestigious Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF). Regional fairs can also nominate one or two students directly to ISEF. From the state level, the best projects are selected to represent Texas at ISEF. (In this system, there is no national-level fair in the United States.)

If you’re interested in opportunities in Texas for bright students, check out our page dedicated to Texas research and summer programs for high schoolers and our review of Rice University's summer programs!

Overview of Texas Regional Science Fair

1. Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Dates: February 22-23, 2025

Location: St. Mary’s University (San Antonio)

Counties: Atascosa County, Bandera County, Bexar County, Blanco County, Burnet County, Comal County, Dewitt County, Dimmit County, Edwards County, Frio County, Gillespie County, Goliad County, Gonzales County, Guadalupe County, Hays County (except for Wimberley High School and Dripping Springs ISD), Karnes County, Kendall County, Kerr County, Kinney County, La Salle County, Live Oak County, Llano County, Maverick County, McMullen County, Medina County, Real County, Uvalde County, Val Verde County, Victoria County, Webb County (Harmony Science Academy and Harmony School of Excellence-Laredo), Wilson County, and Zavala County

Contact: Rose Perez ([email protected])

The Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair (ARSEF) hosts approximately 500-600 projects each year, organized by the Alamo Regional Academy of Science and Engineering (ARASE), which was founded in 1956. 

The competition structure differs slightly from other regional fairs in that it is spread across three different sub-fairs (referred to in their materials as fairs I, II, and III) due to space restrictions. Most projects are completed individually, and there is a separate division specifically for team projects (there is a maximum of two students per team). 

Awards are given to the top individual projects in each category overall (across the three sub-fairs). The number of awards is usually 3 or 4, but depends on the number of entries in each category (some years, certain categories are large enough to justify 5 awards, while some smaller ones are only allotted a single award). The top individual project in each category is invited to compete in the Texas Science and Engineering Fair. Across the various categories, the top 5 individual projects from each sub-fair (fairs I, II, and III) all receive Grand Prizes. The 1st and 2nd Grand Prize winners from each sub-fair qualify directly to compete in ISEF.

Teams compete slightly differently. Because there are fewer teams, there are only three categories for them. The team categories are:

• Physical Sciences

• Health Sciences

• Life Sciences

The top 3-4 teams in each category receive prizes, and the first-place team in each category gets to advance to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair. Additionally, the top 2 overall teams receive grand prizes. The 2nd place team qualifies for the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, and the top team qualifies for ISEF. (ISEF qualifiers may also compete in the state fair if they choose.)

Finally, the best overall project is awarded the “Best of Fair” prize.

Each school is allowed to send a limited number of students and teams to ARSEF. Students should check with their teachers in the fall semester to learn about their specific school and district qualification process. Home-schooled students should contact the fair to learn how to participate.

2. Beal Bank Dallas Regional Science Fair

Dates: February 15, 2025

Location: Fair Park (Dallas)

Counties: Collin County, Dallas County, Ellis County, Fannin County, Grayson County, part of Henderson County, Hunt County, Kaufman County, Rockwall County, and part of Van Zandt County

Contact: Frederick Olness ([email protected])

The Beal Bank Dallas Regional Science Fair (DRSF) is a competitive science fair serving 10 counties and over 1,200 schools. The fair was founded in 1957, and now hosts around 800 projects per year. Most projects are completed by individual students, although the fair also allows small teams (2-3 students) to participate. In addition, the fair strongly advises students to work with a “sponsor” — typically a teacher or mentor.

Qualification requirements for DRSF depend on the student’s school and district. The majority of students begin by competing in their school’s science fair. Depending on the size of their school and district, some students will then compete in a district-wide fair, while others will advance directly to DRSF. Science teachers at affiliated schools will have information specific to their school and district registration processes. Home-schooled students should contact DRSF directly for information on registering.

The top 3 projects in each category at DRSF (from both the junior and senior divisions) receive cash prizes of up to $300 and qualify to compete in the Texas Science and Engineering Fair. DRSF uses the 21 project categories defined by ISEF, but they often combine smaller categories for judging, depending on the number of entries. In large categories, the judges may choose to award a 4th place winner. (There are about 200 judges at DRSF, most of them volunteer scientists and engineers from local companies.) The first place winners in each category are then interviewed again by a new set of expert judges, and the top eight projects receive Grand Prize Awards (4 in life sciences and 4 in physical sciences). In addition, about 50 - 70 projects receive Special Awards from regional organizations. The top two overall projects in the senior division at DRSF advance directly to ISEF.

DRSF is considered one of the strongest and most competitive regional science fairs in Texas. Numerous DRSF participants have gone on to win their categories at TXSEF, and the Dallas Region has produced several grand prize winners at the international level (ISEF).

3. Coastal Bend Regional Science Fair

Dates: February 14, 2025 (junior and senior divisions)

Location: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Building: the University Center)

Counties: Aransas County, Bee County, Brooks County, Calhoun County, Duval County, Jim Wells County, Kenedy County, Kleberg County, Nueces County, Refugio County, and San Patricio County

Contact: Debra Plowman ([email protected])

The Coastal Bend Regional Science Fair is one of the best opportunities for students in the counties listed above to gain recognition for their scientific research. The fair is organized by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and hosts between 350 and 450 student projects each year.

Similar to other regional fairs, most students qualify by competing in an ISEF-affiliated school or regional science fair, and can receive registration information by placing at the top of one of these smaller fairs.

The top 3 projects in each category receive prize medals, and the top 2 projects are invited to compete at the state level. The top 1 or 2 (depending on the year) projects in the senior category qualify immediately for ISEF, without needing to compete in TXSEF (although they can present at TXSEF if they choose). Additionally, 10-20 projects will receive special awards. 

Students from the Coastal Bend Regional Science Fair have gone on to showcase their research at even more prestigious science fairs. These fairs, like other Texas science competitions, offer a platform to display talent. Alumni have won the Texas Science and Engineering Fair and have received international recognition at ISEF.

4. Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Dates: February 23-24, 2025

Location: The University of Texas at Arlington (Building: the College Park Events Center)

Counties: Cooke County, Denton County, Eastland County, Erath County, Hood County, Johnson County, Palo Pinto County, Parker County, Somervell County, Tarrant County, and Wise County

Contact: Yuan Peng ([email protected])

The Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair at UT Arlington is the oldest regional science fair in Texas, with fairs each year since 1951. The event takes place over two days: Sunday, February 23, 2025 for project setup; and Monday, February 24 for judging. Qualifying for the regional fair typically involves placing highly at a school- or district-level fair. However, it is possible for students to qualify directly for the regional fair, if all rules and regulations from Regeneron ISEF are followed. For more information, students should speak with their science teacher or contact the fair organizers.

The 2025 project categories for the Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair are:

• Animal Sciences

• Behavioral and Social Sciences

• Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology

• Chemistry

• Computer Science

• Earth and Planetary Sciences

• Energy and Transportation

• Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical

• Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering

• Environmental Management and Sciences

• Medicine and Health Sciences

• Microbiology

• Physics and Astronomy

• Plant Sciences

In 2024, more than 400 students participated in the event. Out of the hundreds of projects each year, the judges nominate about 50 to compete at TXSEF, and 1 or 2 to ISEF. Here is a list of the top overall projects in 2024 from all categories, according to the judges’ scores:

• FISQ: A Few-Shot, Interpretable, and Self-Supervised Quantum Machine Learning Approach to Automated Real-Time Prediction Across Multiple Domains (Category: Computer Science)

• Implications for Diabetes-Related Developmental and Phenotypic Variation via Sugar Modulation on Zebrafish Embryogenesis (Category: Animal Sciences)

• Mathematical Analysis of Preparatory Neural Activity to Predict Physical Behavior in Motor Sequences (Category: Behavior and Social Sciences)

• Effects of pH on the Crystallinity and Chemical Properties of Gallium Oxyhydroxide (Category: Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering)

• Synthesizing sustainable biodiesel through chemical alteration of plant-based lipids (Category: Environmental Management and Sciences)

• Reinforcement Learning based Kinematic Controller and Proportional-Integrative-Derivative based Dynamic Controller of Soft Continuum Robot (Category: Physics and Astronomy)

• The Utilization of Labeo Catla Fish Scales for the Effective Defluorination of Water with Excessive Fluoride Concentrations to Refine Water In Third World Countries (Category: Earth and Planetary Sciences)

5. Science & Engineering Fair of Houston

Dates: February 14-15, 2025

Location: The Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg

Counties: Austin County, Brazoria County, Chambers County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Grimes County, Hardin County, Harris County, Jackson County, Jasper County, Jefferson County, Matagorda County, Montgomery County, Newton County, Orange County, Polk County, San Jacinto County, Trinity County, Tyler County, Walker County, Waller County, and Wharton County

Contact: Heather Domjan ([email protected])

The Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH) is one of the largest and most competitive regional science fairs in the state of Texas. The event will take place from February 14-15, 2025. All projects must check in and set up between 2:00 and 7:00 PM on February 14. Judging begins promptly at 9:10 AM on February 15.

Registering for SEFH is typically done through your school. If your school participates in SEFH, then your only option is to register for the fair through your school. If your school is not affiliated with SEFH, you can still participate, but the fair organizers require independent students to be sponsored by a teacher or mentor to ensure strict adherence to ISEF guidelines. In addition to individual projects, teams of 2 or 3 students may also enter SEFH.

When designing their research projects, students can get inspiration by referring to winning projects going back to 2007 on SEFH’s winners page.

How to Stand Out in a Science Fair

Choosing the Right Project

A standout project begins with selecting a topic that aligns with both scientific opportunities and the student’s personal interests. A mentor or teacher can help identify these intersections and refine the idea

Excelling in Presentation

All regional science fairs (and other science fairs, for that matter) are free to choose their own judging criteria. However, they tend to be similar to ISEF’s criteria. The most highly weighted factor in the ISEF judging criteria is the presentation. According to ISEF, presentation boards should be clear, informative, and visually appealing. Students should organize the information logically and display their supporting documentation. When speaking with the judges, students should give concise and scientifically informed answers to questions. They should demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the science behind their work, and of the potential impact of their findings. Finally, judges are also listening for the students’ ideas for further research. Remember, too, to take note of any suggestions that they might offer for next steps!

Demonstrating Creativity and Depth

It goes without saying that a strong presentation depends on strong research, and strong research demands both creativity and depth of investigation. Carefully reviewing the existing scientific literature related to their research topic prepares students to conduct meaningful and impactful research, and to demonstrate the depth of their study in the report they submit to the judges.

Science Fair Tips for Success

Start Planning Early

Independent research projects take time, and compressing their timelines often results in less compelling results. Especially for high school students with packed academic and extracurricular schedules, starting to plan the project well in advance allows for more flexibility later on. With your teacher or mentor, start by making a schedule that leaves at least two to three weeks of extra time, just in case you need to postpone an experiment due to an exam or an unexpected illness. Having a pre-defined schedule will also make it much easier to stay on top of your project from start to finish, without feeling overwhelmed.

Seek Mentorship and Feedback

As mentioned above, seeking guidance from an experienced teacher or mentor can help your project start and stay on the right track. Research mentors who are familiar with your area of research can help you find useful papers to read and connect you to other resources. They can also give you advice on experimental design. It’s also important to seek as much feedback as possible after you complete your experiments while refining your report and presentation materials.

Practice Communication Skills

It’s normal to feel intimidated when preparing to present your hard work in front of a group of experts. However, this is an element of the process that is more practicable than you might realize. While it’s difficult to predict exactly which questions the judges will ask you, the questions that you were asked at your school or local fair can give you a clue. To start, they will almost certainly prompt you to start by presenting your project. Rehearse your presentation — by yourself and then in front of an audience — several times. Try to refine it each time, with an emphasis on clarity and structure. After the initial presentation, invite the practice audience to ask some questions. Practice answering confidently and concisely, supplying the necessary information without straying off topic.

How Polygence Pods Can Help

Tailored Guidance for Science Fair Projects

Polygence connects bright students with experienced mentors to help them craft impactful and award-winning projects. Let us find your perfect mentor match! Our network of research program mentors includes hundreds of researchers posted at top institutions who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of young scientists, engineers, and innovators of all kinds.

Building Confidence and Research Skills

Polygence Pods is a guided program that we developed specifically to help students strengthen and hone their independent research abilities. Students self-select into a small group, accompanied by an expert mentor, with the shared goal of investigating a research topic that they are all passionate about, each from their own unique angle. In addition, students who join Pods will build confidence and learn how to effectively present and defend their work before an audience. The whole process is fast, spanning only six weeks, and meetings take place online, making it an ideal way for students with busy schedules to prepare for their science fair projects!

Success Stories from Polygence Alumni

Share examples of students who achieved recognition in Texas science fairs with Polygence’s support.

Texas regional science fairs are exciting opportunities for students to showcase their creativity, depth of understanding, and innovation in STEM research. In addition to the meaningful impacts that students’ projects can have on the scientific community, conducting independent research and presenting it at a regional science fair empowers students to grow personally and academically. What’s more, Polygence students receive impressive college admissions results and are prepared for careers in STEM after graduating.

If you are a student or the parent of a student aiming to showcase an innovative independent research project at a Texas regional science fair or competition, consider exploring Polygence as a partner. Explore our Research Mentorship Program now!