2026 DC STEM Fair
Saturday, March 28, 2025 at Dunbar High School
 

 

The DC STEM Fair is the official fair for the District of Columbia and the longest-running student competition in the District of Columbia. The fair will host an elementary exhibition for students in grades K-5 and a competitive fair for secondary students in grades 6-8 and 9-12. The elementary exhibition and secondary fair will bring together students from all eight wards to showcase their ideas, talents, and innovative research in STEM.

The DC STEM Fair is an affiliate fair of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Challenge and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF). Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition and provides a forum for millions of students from more than 50 countries, regions, and territories to showcase independent research annually. 

Participants:

• The Elementary STEM Exhibition is open to students in grades K-5 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home schools.
• The DC Secondary STEM Fair is open to students in grades 6-8 and 9-12 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home schools.

*We do not accept students who attend schools in other counties, states, or countries.

Students DO NOT need to qualify through a school fair to participate.
Students may enter individually or in a group of no more than three members.

Middle school CATEGORY and OVERALL WINNERS will be considered for advancement to the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge.

High school OVERALL WINNER and RUNNER UP will be considered for advancement to compete in the Regeneron ISEF.
*This is not to exceed a total of six participants from both overall and runner up winner.

All secondary projects (junior and senior division) should be checked through "Rules Wizard" to determine what forms and approvals are necessary to participate.

Rules Wizard:

• ruleswizard.societyforscience.org 

Visit Regeneron ISEF for rules and forms:

• societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules

Links for Registration:

• Elementary Registration
• Junior Division Registration (6-8)
• Senior Division Registration (9-12)

ISEF Forms

• ISEF Forms for SRC Review

Judges:

Category Judges

If you are interested in serving as a judge for one of the subject categories, please complete the Category Judge form. Category judges determine first place through honorable mention awards within one subject group. First place winners are then advanced for consideration for overall winner and runner up to compete at the Regeneron ISEF.

Societies and Organization Judges

Societies and organizations are invited to participate in a separate judging of student’s projects based on their own criteria, interests, and judging rubric. They are free to evaluate any project aligning to their goal/mission within the provided categories. Additionally, they are welcome to offer awards, and can present in the final awards ceremony. If your society or organization is interested in serving as a society or organization judge, please complete the Society/Organization Judge form.

Additional Resources

• Legends of Learning - Fun Science & Math, Learning Games
• Generation Genius | The Next Generation in Science Videos
• Anacostia Watershed Society - to protect and restore our river
• STEM Fair Q&A
• Non-Media Release
• Scoring Rubric
• Testable Question Deck
• Science Journal

For questions about the DC STEM Fair and Elementary Exhibition, please contact Jhatia McKnight, Science Specialist at [email protected].