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Register by February 19.
Register online and begin completing your project milestones. All materials must be submitted by February 19.
Students: Get started with LRSEF.
Looking for 2023 Fair Details, Maps and More?
Access the schedule, parking information and what NOT to bring to the fair.
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The Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair (LRSEF) is open to students grades 6-12 in 59 counties.
If you enjoy solving problems and creating hands-on experiments, participating in LRSEF can help you develop your skills in research, creative problem solving, public speaking and more. These experiences will help you learn about the world around you in a different way than the typical homework assignment in science or math. Plus, you can also meet new friends and win prizes!
Still not sure if you want to participate?
Hear what previous participants had to say about their experience at LRSEF.
Ready to get started?
Check out the project resources and student forms below or review the student FAQs.
Save the Date!
LRSEF will take place Saturday, March 1, 2025 at UofL’s Swain Student Activities Center.
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Project Resources
Whether you’re new to science fair or an old pro, the information and resources available below will prepare your for a successful science fair this year.
ISEF Changes for 2025
LRSEF follows guidelines for ISEF for fair materials. Review all ISEF rules and guidelines and the specific changes for 2025.
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Project Guidelines and Presentation Templates
All Fair Documents and Resources
The Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair awards prizes (certificates, trophies and cash prizes) for top projects in junior/middle school and senior/high school project categories. You can also self-nominate your project for special awards sponsored by local and national organizations. See previous winners to get an idea of what your project might win!
Project Categories
You must choose one of the following 22 categories for your project. You can explore the categories here or by clicking on the links below.
Animal Sciences (ANIM)
Behavioral and Social Sciences (BEHA)
Biochemistry (BCHM)
Biomedical and Health Sciences (BMED)
Biomedical Engineering (ENBM)
Cellular and Molecular Biology (CELL)
Chemistry (CHEM)
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBIO)
Earth and Environmental Sciences (EAEV)
Embedded Systems (EBED)
Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design (EGSD)
Engineering Mechanics (ENMC)
Environmental Engineering (ENEV)
Materials Science (MATS)
Mathematics (MATH)
Microbiology (MCRO)
Physics and Astronomy (PHYS)
Plant Sciences (PLNT)
Robotics and Intelligent Machines (ROBO)
Systems Software (SOFT)
NEW! Technology Enhances the Arts (TECA)
Translational Medical Science (TMED)
Student FAQs
If you enjoy solving problems and creating hands-on experiments, you can work independently and create a good science fair project. Your ability to put it all together with a research paper, a display board illustrating your work and rehearsing a short talk about your work will be very rewarding. These experiences will help you learn about the world around you in a different way than the typical homework assignment in science or mathematics. You can also meet new friends AND win prizes!
NO! You can enter LRSEF independently. Each school is allowed to enter five projects in each category. A school fair is only necessary to narrow down the number of projects if there are more than five in a category. If your school does host a fair, you need to do your best at that event so you will be selected to come to LRSEF.
Most well-thought-out projects take 6-8 weeks to allow enough time to plan the project, conduct experiments, collect data, chart progress and document results.
LRSEF has 22 project categories including Plant and Animal Sciences, Astronomy, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, medical and behavioral sciences. Your project must fit into one of the 22 categories. For more information, visit the Student Resources section of our website.
Ideas come from many places: radio, magazines, and newspapers. The main thing is to find a topic area that YOU care about. If you are interested, you will do a much better job. Do not just take a random idea that is not really yours because it is difficult to work hard on something you do not love thinking about. Additional resources are available in the Student Resources section.
Check out the websites we recommend in the Student Resources section and look at the sample project ideas. Talk about your idea with your friends and family. If you are still stuck, contact LRSEF with a specific question. We will reach out to you and help you get started. If you are tackling a difficult problem, we can put you in touch with a local mentor.
All science research has protocols to follow, and the forms we ask you to complete have been developed to reflect what would be required in a true research project. Forms are also necessary for your safety and protection.
Definitely! Contact us at info@lrsef.org with specific questions. We will respond and help guide you through the process. You can request a Virtual Mentor through LRSEF, or you may also reach out to adult neighbors or friends with an interest in STEM subjects to help you.
You may create a team of up to three people, but your project design must require teamwork. When the judges come to interview your team, 16 percent of your score will be based on how well a team worked together and the need for partner(s). Do not choose to work with a friend just because you think it will be easier. Work with a friend because you share the same passions and you feel your project will do better with his or her partnership.
Questions?
Email our volunteers for additional information.