March 27–28, 2026 | Where Science Shines at Every Scale!
Calling all young scientists, engineers, and curious minds across Alaska! The 71st Alaska Science & Engineering Fair (ASEF) is just around the corner, and we’re thrilled to announce our exciting theme for 2026: “Science to Scale”! Whether you’re exploring the tiniest microbes or the vast mysteries of the cosmos, this is your chance to showcase how science operates at every level — from the microscopic to the planetary!
*Big thank you to Cooper Wolf from Chugiak High school for making this year’s T-Shirt Design!
📅 Key Dates to Remember
- Student/Project Registration Opens: Sunday, March 1, 2026
- Student/Project Registration Closes: Monday, March 17, 2026
- High School Paperwork Deadline: Monday, March 24, 2026
- Student/Project Check-In: Friday, March 27, 2026
- Judging Day: Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Awards Ceremony: Sunday, March 29, 2026 (In-person — Time & exact location TBD, but will be held at UAA)
- Venue: UAA Student Union
- Address: 2921 Spirit Way, Anchorage, AK 99508
🔬 Who Can Participate?
ASEF is open to all Alaska-resident students in grades K–12. Whether you’re working on a class assignment or a passion project, we want to see your creativity and curiosity in action!
- Elementary (K–5): Dive into fun, hands-on experiments!
- Middle School (6–8): Take your projects to the next level!
- High School (9–12): Compete for a chance to represent Alaska at the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)!
⚠️ Important Note for High School Students
Attention, high schoolers! If your project involves human participants, vertebrate animals, hazardous materials, or other regulated topics, you MUST get approval from the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) BEFORE starting your experimentation. Use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which forms you need, and contact info@alaskasciencefair.org with any questions. Don’t wait — paperwork delays could affect your eligibility for top prizes!
🌟 Why Participate?
- Showcase Your Effort: Present your work to judges from STEM fields.
- Win Amazing Prizes: Earn awards sponsored by local businesses and organizations.
- Go Global: High school grand prize winners may receive an expense-paid trip to ISEF!
- Boost Your Future: Stand out to colleges and employers with your ASEF participation.
🔍 What to Expect
- In-Person & Virtual Options: Participate from anywhere in Alaska.
- Safety First: All projects will be inspected for safety before setup. Remember, your display is a visual representation of your work — no live specimens or hazardous materials allowed!
- Categories & Awards: Compete across multiple STEM disciplines and win specialty awards.
🤝 Volunteers & Fundraising: We Need You!
ASEF is run entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. For the 2026 fair, we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with:
- Planning and organizing the event.
- Fundraising efforts to support student awards and fair operations.
If you’d like to get involved, email volunteer@alaskasciencefair.org
💰 Fundraising Update: Help Us Reach Our Goal!
As of now, we’ve raised $29,758 of our $39,400 target for 2026. Your donations directly support the fair and the students who participate!
Every dollar counts! Donate via Venmo (@alaskasciencefair) or through the donate button in the sidebar. For larger donations, please email us at info@alaskasciencefair.org and we can provide additional ways to donate. Let’s make ASEF 2026 the best yet!
🕊️ In Memoriam: Mary Helms
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Mary Helms, who left us in January. Mary was a true force for good in our community – a passionate advocate for education, science, and the boundless potential of every young person she encountered. Her unwavering dedication to empowering students to reach for the stars touched countless lives and left an indelible mark on the Alaska science community.
Mary’s spirit lives on in every student who dares to ask “why?” and every experiment that begins with curiosity. As we gather for ASEF 2026, we carry her memory with us and honor her legacy by continuing the work she loved so dearly.
To learn more about Mary’s remarkable life, please visit her obituary here.
She will be missed. 🌟
The Alaska Science and Engineering Fair is a 501(c)(3) non-profit run by volunteers and funded by donations. All funds support student awards and fair operations.
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