Young Inland Empire Scientists Shine as County Fairs Send Projects to State and International Competitions
The 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair drew a record 530 students presenting 367 projects across 22 categories, with junior and senior winners advancing to the California State Science Fair and three seniors bound for ISEF in Phoenix.
Key takeaways
- Record participation: 530 students from 30 districts presented 367 projects in three age divisions.
- Advancement: Junior and Senior winners advance to the California State Science and Engineering Fair; three Senior students advance to Regeneron ISEF in Phoenix.
- Wide topics: Projects ranged from elementary cookie experiments to high-school DNA “tweezers” research on glioblastoma.
- Regional pipeline: SIMSEF and local STEM events feed into county fairs and higher-level competitions.
Riverside County: record turnout and wide-ranging projects
The 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair took place at the Riverside Convention Center with judging on Feb. 27 and public viewing and awards on Feb. 28, 2026. Organizers reported the highest participation since 2016: 530 students from 30 districts presented 367 projects across 22 categories in three age divisions (Grades 4–5, Junior grades 6–8, Senior grades 9–12).
Projects were divided into 115 in Grades 4–5, 136 in the Junior division and 116 in the Senior division. The busiest subject categories were Chemistry and Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics, each with 46 entries.
Judges reviewed work across subject areas from Behavioral and Social Sciences to Translational Medicinal Science. Examples highlighted by Riverside County included:
- An elementary experiment comparing chocolate chip cookie ingredients and outcomes.
- A middle school project testing light propulsion as a method to propel spacecraft.
- A high school research project using DNA “tweezers” to study glioblastoma multiforme tumor behavior.
Named projects: Sixth-grader Madisynne Foltz of Good Hope Elementary presented “Human Mouth vs. Dog Mouth,” comparing bacterial levels in humans and dogs. Sixth-graders Jose Zavala and Legna Villegas from Palm View Elementary measured heat absorption on school surfaces in “The Heat Is On!”
More event details are available from the Riverside County Office of Education newsroom.
Advancement to state and international stages
Winners in the Junior and Senior divisions will represent Riverside County at the California State Science and Engineering Fair, held online on April 11, 2026. Additionally, three Senior division students were named to advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), scheduled May 9–15, 2026, in Phoenix, where competitors can vie for scholarships, internships and major awards.
Riverside County Superintendent Dr. Edwin Gomez praised the students for showing “brilliance, determination, curiosity, observation and critical thinking,” noting that fairs like this help students build research skills and prepare for STEM pathways.
“These qualities will benefit students and the community alike,” Dr. Edwin Gomez said, highlighting the fair’s role in developing future researchers and professionals.
San Bernardino County and SIMSEF: regional pipeline to competition
Across the valley, San Bernardino County’s regional fair — known as SIMSEF (San Bernardino | Inyo | Mono Science and Engineering Fair) — convened students at the University of Redlands this week as part of the regional STEM calendar. SIMSEF aligns projects with California Science Standards and connects students, teachers and STEM professionals.
Schools and families seeking 2026 SIMSEF information were directed to contact SIMSEF coordinator Dr. Fermin Jaramillo through the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools — SIMSEF page. Local coverage and historical context show SIMSEF alumni have reached ISEF and earned major awards, including scholarship recognitions after international competition.
Beyond the fairs: hands-on STEM events and follow-up
The Inland Empire’s STEM calendar includes additional hands-on events that support county-fair entries. For example, California State University, San Bernardino — Science Carnival runs demonstrations and activities that help high school students with practical labs, mentoring and project preparation.
These events provide mentoring, access to university faculty and practical experience that improve project quality for county, state and international competitions.
Why these fairs matter for students and schools
County science fairs teach the scientific method, data collection, technical writing and public speaking. Students learn to form hypotheses, design experiments, control variables and explain results to judges. For many, county and state competitions are the first time presenting complex work to professionals, which can guide college plans and career paths in engineering, medicine, computer science and environmental fields.
Judging panels often include university faculty, industry scientists and educators — connections that can lead to mentorships, internships and spots in advanced programs. The pathway from a school project to the California State Science Fair and potentially to ISEF is a tangible ladder to higher education and STEM careers.
Investigative notes on dates and sources
Riverside County dates and event details are documented by the Riverside County Office of Education newsroom. San Bernardino County’s SIMSEF is listed on the county education site, though publicly available pages do not list a complete 2026 awards schedule or a full winners list; inquiries were directed to the SIMSEF coordinator at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
Implications for The Inland Empire
Economic impact
County fairs contribute to a local workforce pipeline by encouraging students toward engineering, biotech and technology careers. Early skills and mentors increase the likelihood that students pursue STEM degrees and remain in the regional labor market. Local businesses and community colleges that sponsor fairs gain early access to future talent and can shape training to meet regional needs.
Political consequences
Strong participation gives local officials measurable outcomes — such as state qualifiers and ISEF entrants — to support sustained funding for K–12 STEM programs. Participation data can also highlight equity gaps and prompt targeted support for under-resourced districts.
Social effects
Visible success at fairs can raise college aspirations, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Public viewing days and media coverage foster community engagement, bringing families, schools and neighborhoods together to celebrate student achievement.
Cultural relevance
Science fairs reflect Inland Empire values of practical, hands-on skills and reframe academic achievement as a community accomplishment. When students from diverse districts present work in translational medicine or engineering, they broaden who is seen as a scientist in the region.
Practical applications for residents
- Parents can use fair results to identify schools with strong STEM supports.
- Employers and colleges can partner with fairs to offer internships, apprenticeships and dual enrollment tied to student projects.
- Local projects addressing heat absorption or environmental bacteria can inform district policies on playground materials, shade and sanitation.
