πALASKA STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR – 2025 AWARDS CEREMONY! π
WOOHOO! It’s Almost Time to Celebrate YOU!
Hey there, amazing young scientists and engineers!
Can you believe it? The 70th Annual Alaska State Science and Engineering Fair is wrapping up, and you know what that means… IT’S AWARDS TIME! πβ¨
π£ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT π£
Mark your calendars and set those reminders!
The 2025 Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 12th at 1:00 PM via YouTube Livestream!
That means you can celebrate in your pajamas with your whole family cheering alongside you! Grandma in Florida? Cousins in Texas? EVERYONE can watch you shine!
π©βπ¬ TO ALL OUR INCREDIBLE PARTICIPANTS π¨βπ¬
WOW. Just WOW! We’ve been absolutely BLOWN AWAY by your projects this year!
The creativity! The scientific thinking! The engineering skills! The colorful posters! The amazing presentations!
Whether you built robots, grew super plants, tracked wildlife, or tested something nobody’s ever tested before – you all showed what real scientists and engineers look like. And guess what? They look just like YOU!
Even if you don’t take home a trophy, remember that EVERY single one of you is a winner just for being brave enough to ask questions and search for answers. That’s what science is all about!
π A GIANT ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS & JUDGES π
A gigantic, enormous, colossal THANK YOU to all our volunteer judges who asked great questions and carefully reviewed each project!
And to our volunteers who helped organize everything, set up the exhibit hall, check-in students and projects, and break it all down and clean up the venue – you are SUPERSTARS! Without you, none of this would be possible!
π HOW TO WATCH π
You will find the YouTube livestream at the bottom of this post, and we will be emailing the link to everyone shortly.
Get your celebration snacks ready! Wear your science t-shirts! Make some noise-makers! This is YOUR moment to shine!
π SEE YOU THERE! π
Remember: Science is about asking questions, trying new things, making mistakes, and HAVING FUN!
We can’t wait to celebrate all your hard work next Saturday!
Stay curious,
The Alaska State Science & Engineering Fair Team
2025 β A Time to Explore the Wonders
Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair
April 4 and 5, 2025
University of Alaska, Anchorage

The Alaska Science and Engineering Fair, Inc. holds an annual exhibition of Alaskan science and engineering projects showcasing the research and innovation of students from across the state. Any student in grades K-12 may enter a science, engineering, computer science, or mathematics project.
Attention, explorers! The Alaska Science and Engineering Fair is your launchpad to explore the boundless possibilities of science. Whether youβre investigating the wonders of tiny microbes or unraveling the mysteries of space and time, your project will soar to new heights! The countdown has begun, and we canβt wait to see your incredible ideas and innovations. Let your curiosity take flight and your project will shine brighter than the stars! πβ¨
The fair takes place in Anchorage in March or April each year and includes both in-person and virtual participation. Independent judges from STEM-related fields evaluate every project and present awards for all age groups. Middle and high school students compete in 15 categories and receive prizes donated by businesses and individuals. Some projects also earn Specialty awards provided by local and national organizations to recognize achievement in various STEM fields. One or more grand prize winners receive ASEF sponsorship to participate in the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held each year in the lower 48.
Established in 1955, ASEF marks its 70th anniversary in 2025. The annual fair is Alaskaβs primary statewide STEM education event and is affiliated with the ISEF. The Alaska Science and Engineering Fair, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with an all-volunteer board of directors.
Online registration will open on: TBD
The deadline to register is: Monday, March 16th, 2025
π Fair Location Details
Venue: Conoco Phillips Integrated Science Building on the UAA campus
Address: 3121 Science Circle, Anchorage, AK 99508
Map: Navigate to the epicenter of science!
π Event Timeline
Project Check-In
- When: Friday, April 4, 5:00 β 8:00 p.m.
- For: In person projects only
π Check-In β What to Bring
As you gear up to showcase your projects, make sure to pack:
- Your Project Board: The centerpiece of your research and findings.
- Project Materials: Any tools or visuals to enhance your presentation. Check the In-Person Exhibits rules for guidelines.
- Your Project Journal: A record of your scientific journey.
π Judging Details
Category Judging
- In-Person Judging:
- Elementary Division (1st-5th grade):
- When: Saturday, April 5th, 9:00am β 4:00pm
- Your specific judging time will be chosen during check-in
- 6th Grade, Middle School & High School:
- Life Sciences:
- Categories: 100, 200, 300, 400, 1000, 1200, 1300, 1500
- When: Saturday, April 5th, 9:00am β 1:00pm
- Plan to be at your board all 4 hours.
- We suggest that students plan to also be at their board in the afternoon if possible for specialty judging
- Physical Sciences:
- Categories: 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1100, 1400
- When: Saturday, April 5th, 12:00pm β 4:00pm
- Plan to be at your board all 4 hours
- We suggest that students plan to also be at their board in the morning if possible for specialty judging
- Life Sciences:
- Elementary Division (1st-5th grade):
- Virtual Judging:
- Schedule: Will be emailed to participants several days before the fair.
- Schedule: Will be emailed to participants several days before the fair.
Special Awards Judging
- When: Saturday, April 5th, 9:00am β 4:00pm
- We suggest that students plan to stay all day if possible as specialty judges may be looking over projects at any time during the day.
See the list of categories with their numbers here: https://alaskasciencefair.org/awards/main-category-awards/
Volunteering Opportunities
Please consider joining us and helping develop the next generation of scientists and engineers by becoming a Board or Committee Member: The ASEF board of directors and committee members engage in year-round planning and development of the annual ASEF. If you are interested in joining our board or serving on a committee, please email us at director@alaskasciencefair.org
Do you have a few hours on Fair weekend? Volunteer to be a Judge! There are hundreds of projects, and only one day to judge them all! There is nothing more satisfying than meeting the participants, encouraging their efforts, and finding out just how amazing Alaskaβs students truly are! If you are interested in serving as a judge, please email us at judging@alaskasciencefair.org. Training and judging rubrics are provided. We can also use help with Setup/Teardown and Check-in. It takes a small army to set up and take down tables, chairs, and signage! Volunteers are also needed to check in students. If you can help, please email us at volunteers@alaskasciencefair.org
Support ASEF by Shopping at Fred Meyer
Fred Meyer Community Rewards:Β If you shop at Fred Meyer, link your rewards card to us! Create or log in to your account at Fred Meyer Community Rewards and choose Alaska Science and Engineering Fair (group EQ676). This program provides funds to ASEF with each Fred Meyer purchase, at no cost to you.Β We would sincerely appreciate your support!
Donate
Venmo: @alaskasciencefair
2025 Funding Status
- $10,000 - Fair Admin Costs: Funded
- $22,000 - Category Awards: Funded
- $29,000 - 2026 Start Up: Funded
- $41,000 - ISEF Participation: Not Funded
ASEF is entirely funded by donations and does not receive funding from any school district or government agency. All donated funds go directly to funding the fair and awards for students.
Our Recent Donors:
Primary Sponsor - $10,000+ with Multi Year Commitment:
(None)
Sponsors - $10,000+
- Doug Molyneaux
Patrons - $5,000-$9,999
- Anchorage School District (in-kind)
- ConocoPhillips Alaska
- Hecla Greens Creek Mine
- University of Alaska Anchorage (in-kind)
Donors - $1,000-$4999
- Alaska Commercial Company (in-kind)
- Alaska Miners Association (in-kind)
- Broadcom Foundation
- Chandler Corporation (Puffin Inn)
Contributors - $500-$999
- Alaska Science Teachers Association
- Aurora Projekt
- Bristol Engineering Services Company
- Granite Construction
- PND Engineers
- ProHNS
- True North Federal Credit Union
Friends - Up to $499
- Alaska Electric Light and Power Company
- Meghan Clark
- Carrs (in-kind)
- Costco Wholesale (in-kind)
- Dawson Construction
- Taylor Ferguson
- First Bank
- Franz Bakery (in-kind)
- Fred Meyer Rewards Program
- Fred Meyer (in-kind)
- Great Harvest (in-kind)
- Kaladi Brothers Coffee (in-kind)
- Mike and Corinne McVee
- Northwind Architects
- Rainbow Foods
- Rebecca Sawyer
- Royal Printing (in-kind)
- Starbucks (in-kind)
- Weiss Family