About LRSEF
What is LRSEF?
The Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair is an annual science and engineering fair held in Louisville, Kentucky. Students in grades 6-12 from 59 Kentucky counties may enter the fair.
In addition to winning trophies, cash and other awards, top Junior winners are nominated to enter the national Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Top Senior winners are promoted to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair.
For more information, visit our FAQ section.
Our Mission
The mission of the Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair (LRSEF) is to awaken, promote, and recognize science and engineering talent among our area’s youth and act as a catalyst to promote science and engineering throughout Kentucky.
Registration
Students in grades 6 through 12 may register for the annual LRSEF as a result of being selected as a winning project at their school or county science fairs. IF NO locally accessible fair is held, any student in public, private or home school may register directly for LRSEF with the support of their teachers.
Purpose and Counties Served
The primary purpose of LRSEF is to host an annual science and engineering fair for students in grades 6 through 12 from 59 Kentucky counties (listed below).
- Louisville Metro Region (15 counties): Anderson, Boyle, Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson*, Larue, Marion, Meade, Mercer, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Taylor and Washington.
- Southern Region (13 counties): Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmondson, Grayson, Green, Hart, Logan, Metcalf, Monroe, Simpson, Todd and Warren.
- Western Region (24 counties): Ballard, Breckinridge, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Trigg, Union and Webster.
- Northern Region (7 counties): Kenton, Boone, Gallatin, Owen, Carroll, Trimble, and Henry.
* Two Jefferson County Public Magnet Schools, DuPont Manual High School and Meyzeek Middle School, host a combined affiliated fair on a different date.
Affiliations
LRSEF has been affiliated with Society for Science & the Public (SSP) since 1964. Competitions exist in nearly every state in the USA and in over 70 other countries and territories.
To compete in the annual International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) a student in grades 9-12 must first qualify by participating in a science & engineering fair affiliated with SSP and observing the International Rules for Pre-College Science Research. LRSEF raises funds to sponsor our designated high school winners, teachers & chaperones at ISEF.
Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who place in the top 10% of LRSEF are eligible to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, previously known as the Broadcom MASTERS. Finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their projects in Washington, D.C., compete in teams, visit historical sites and organizations that celebrate innovation, and vie for more than $100,000 in awards, including a top prize of $25,000.
LRSEF sends top winners from grades 6-12 to the Kentucky State Science & Engineering Fair at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.
Since 2014 LRSEF has been the designated nonprofit charity partner of the ASIA Impact affinity group at GE Appliances, a Haier Company, (formerly known as APAF - The Asia Pacific American Forum). ASIA Impact is a team of STEM professionals who provide mentoring, volunteer service, fundraising and technical assistance to the students, teachers, parents served by LRSEF.
LRSEF has a partnership with the SPOG (Science Policy Outreach Group) from University of Louisville, a dedicated group of graduate students who volunteer their time to provide STEM Outreach with LRSEF.
Community Involvement
The LRSEF board is a group of adult volunteers with a deep passion and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The board mobilizes over 250 volunteers each year to engage in efforts to reward and recognize Kentucky student excellence and achievement in the STEM fields. Volunteers from many STEM careers serve as judges on fair day by interviewing and giving feedback to every student on their work. Others serve as mentors for students throughout the year.
Volunteers conduct outreach activities to encourage teachers, principals and parents to get students involved. They also help recognize students and teachers by telling their stories through interviews and photography on LRSEF media. LRSEF volunteers solicit incentives for all students who enter the fair, and they seek additional funds to award winning projects.
On fair day, volunteers review all student projects for safety and compliance with ISEF standards. They assist students in registering and setting up their projects. Behind the scenes, volunteers tally results turned in by judges and prepare awards for distribution. They also plan and host an awards ceremony, which is open to parents and friends of all participants.
Awards
All participating students receive certificates. Winning projects are awarded with ribbons, trophies and cash awards. Many STEM-related professional organizations sponsor Special Awards, including cash, medals, certificates, and other special prizes.
The top three schools in both the Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) levels receive trophies and cash awards to highlight STEM achievement within the school community.
LRSEF promotes the nominated winning projects to the Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair. The top 10 percent of students in the Junior division receive invitations to enter their projects in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge national competition.
LRSEF honors the Best of Fair Senior level winning projects with promotions to the International Science and Engineering Fair in May each year.
Volunteers conduct outreach activities to encourage teachers, principals and parents to get students involved. They also help recognize students and teachers by telling their stories through interviews and photography on LRSEF media. LRSEF volunteers solicit incentives for all students who enter the fair, and they seek additional funds to award winning projects.
On fair day, volunteers review all student projects for safety and compliance with ISEF standards. They assist students in registering and setting up their projects. Behind the scenes, volunteers tally results turned in by judges and prepare awards for distribution. They also plan and host an awards ceremony, which is open to parents and friends of all participants.