Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair History and Impact
In cooperation with other scientific organizations across Minnesota, the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) began sponsoring eight Regional Science Fairs and the Junior Academy State Science Fair in 1950. One of the oldest continuous state science fairs in the country, Minnesota's program has since continued to expand. Today, the State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) serves as the pinnacle of our statewide continuum of K-12 science education programming, providing an opportunity for students to showcase their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) research.
Each year, up to 500 Minnesota students qualify for SSEF out of more than 2,500 students competing at Regional Science Fairs. Through the state fair, students network with like-minded peers and STEM professionals and compete for $15,000 in prizes and awards. Some also advance to national competitions like Regeneron ISEF.
Through this annual, project-based competition, we aim to help students become informed community members well-versed in scientific research methods—and to inspire them to pursue STEM majors and careers. To get an idea of what State Science Fair is like, check out this highlight video of the 2023 event.
2024 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 2024 State Science Fair was held on March 22 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The event included an exhibitor showcase, the Bell Museum’s traveling planetarium, and a Keynote Address by Jazmine Darden. Governor Tim Walz welcomed and congratulated Science Fair participants.
2023 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
Judging for the 2023 State Science Fair was held on March 24 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The event included an exhibitor showcase, the Bell Museum’s traveling planetarium, a Keynote Address by Antavia Paredes-Beaulieu, and a student social hosted by Morgan Mohler.
2022 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 2022 State Science Fair was a hybrid event held between March 20-31. The event included online workshops and judging, a virtual award ceremony with a keynote lecture by Dr. Nisha Botchwey, and an in-person celebration at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Press Highlights
Wayzata High student earns award at state science fair
Meet The Young Minnesotans Taking Aim At Climate Change
Climate-focused sibling scientists awarded at Minnesota State Science Fair
Century High School student takes home award at Minnesota State Science Fair
Minnesota ISEF Results
Caleb S, Third Award in Animal Science
Adhvaith S, Third Award in Biomedical & Health Sciences
Christine S, Second Award in Biomedical & Health Sciences
Alex M and Ruth M, Third Award in Robotics and Intelligent Machines
Srinath H, Fourth Award in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and a Second Award from the Patent and Trademark Office Society
Elizabeth L, University of Arizona Renewal Tuition Scholarship
2021 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 2021 State Science Fair was held virtually in late March. Students participated in workshops, online judging, and a culminating award ceremony hosted by meteorologist Guy Brown.
Recorded Workshops
For Students: Tips for making your project and presentation ISEF ready, Travis Frey
For Teachers: Advice for helping make projects ISEF ready, Travis Frey
Loons and Lead: A Toxic Relationship, Kelly Amoth, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Press Highlights
2021 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair Press Release
Crookston’s Grace Smith competes at Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair (Crookston Times)
Rochester middle school student wins food safety award at science and engineering fair (Post Bulletin)
Cloquet student takes home gold at state science fair (Pine Journal)
Shattuck student's study of COVID-19 spread advances to international science fair (Faribault Daily News)
Study of bacteria growth on masks among winning topics for Perham students at Minnesota science fair (Perham Focus)
Grand Rapids teacher wins Seagate Excellence in Science Mentoring award (Grand Rapids Herald Review)
Minnesota ISEF Results
Kyla Fung, North Carolina State College of Engineering Award
Jack Hlavka, Third Award in Environmental Engineering
Christine Song, First Award from the National Anti-Vivisection Society
Nathan Krause, Honorable Mention from the American Mathematical Society
Atreyus Bhavsar, First Award from the Air Force Research Laboratory
Harmony Tracy, University of Arizona Renewal Tuition Scholarship
2020 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, MAS moved the State Science & Engineering Fair to a virtual format (the in-person fair was scheduled for March 26-28). Students submitted videos of themselves presenting their projects in front of their presentation boards and explaining their research by March 23. We shared student videos with judges so they could score projects, give feedback to students, and determine award winners.
Recorded Workshops
Food Microbiology—the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Dr. Ariel Buehler, R&D Scientist, Yoplait
Food Enzymes, Dr. Cynthia Machado, Technical Services Senior Scientist, Novozymes
An Introduction to Reproducibility and Replicability, Wanda Marsolek & Amy Riegelman, UMN Libraries
Press Highlights
2020 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair Press Release
Fridley science mentor honored for excellence in science education (Hometown Source)
Al-Amal School Teacher Wins Statewide Science Mentoring Award for Second Time (ABC Newspapers)
State Science Fair held Virtually (Crookston Times)
Learning Notes (Duluth News Tribune)
Minnetonka High School Student Wins First in Annual STEM Research Competition (SW News Media)
Rochester Student Tests Technology's Ability to Provide Mental Health Help (Post Bulletin)
Bemidji Middle School Students Earn Awards at State Science Fair (Bemidji Pioneer)
State Science Fair held Virtually (St. James Plaindealer)
Perham Junior Awarded at State Science Fair (Perham Focus)
Competition Planned at Benilde-St. Margaret’s Moved to Virtual Event (Sun Sailor)
This map displays a small sample of the hundreds of science projects submitted by Minnesota students to the 2020 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair.
2019 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
2018 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 81st annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held April 8-10 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Minneapolis, MN. Numerous Minnesota students went on the win awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Seagate Emerging Scientists receive their awards.
3M awards prizes to the top three high school and middle school projects.
2017 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 80th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 25- 27 at Marriott City Center in Downtown Minneapolis. Restoration ecologist and University of Minnesota professor Susan Galatowitsch was the keynote speaker at the Grand Awards Ceremony.
Seagate Rising Star winners receive their awards
3M awarding prizes for top middle school students
2016 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 79th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held at Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington from April 3-5. Inventor and medical engineer Mark Kroll was the keynote speaker at the Grand Awards Ceremony.
Press Highlights
Fridley science mentor honored for excellence in science education (Sun Focus)
2015 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 78th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 20 - 22 at Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington. Mayo Clinic professor and molecular biologist David Smith was the keynote speaker.
2014 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
2013 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 76th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held April 6-9 in Bloomington. Awards 2013
2012 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 75th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 18-20 in Bloomington. Awards 2012
2011 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 74th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 20-22 in Bloomington. Awards 2011
2010 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 73rd annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 26-28 in St. Paul. Awards 2010
2009 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 72nd annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 29-31 in St. Paul.
2008 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 71st annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 30-April 1 in St. Paul.
2007 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 70th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held March 25-27 in St. Paul.
2006 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 69th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held April 2-4th in in St. Paul.
2005 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 68th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held April 3-5th in St. Paul.
2004 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 67th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held in St. Paul.
2003 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 66th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held in Duluth.
2001 Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair
The 64th annual Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair was held in Rochester.
