Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Celebrating 60 years of inspiring Kentucky students to pursue STEM research.

What does your gift mean to Kentucky middle and high school students? 

Beyond recognizing award winners, LRSEF strives to foster an “everyone-can-do” STEM atmosphere at our 60th anniversary annual fair and in our outreach efforts. Our mission is to increase awareness that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills are essential and attainable for all students in Kentucky. 

Your funds will be used to encourage and reward: 

• Over 350 students from at least 20 schools for conducting creative STEM research projects. 
• Students using independent problem-solving skills in 21 diverse categories.
• Student projects in an all-day event featuring engaging dialogue with professional judges.
• All participants with a backpack, lanyard and other perks.  
• Funding of cash prizes and ribbons at 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in all 21 topic areas, plus 4th place ribbons. 

LRSEF 2024 will be our 60th annual event and will be held on Saturday March 2, at the Swain Student Activities Center at the University of Louisville. 

LRSEF is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with a long history. 

Many volunteer hours are donated by STEM judges, community leaders, teachers, and parents in support of student efforts. Our first science and engineering fair was supported by Kiwanis and held in 1964. 

LRSEF thanks the loyal annual donors who contribute during Give for Good.

A gift of $150 or $200 can help reward the highest levels of student achievement. New donors are welcome!  

Donations can be designated to fund the prizes in a specific Junior Category ($150) or a Senior Category ($200). Company names or individuals are listed on the student award certificates and on the LRSEF website.  Check out last year’s donors, then choose a category you want to fund.

LRSEF also invites companies and organizations to donate Special Awards of $25 or more. You can establish your own criteria for this award.  Special Awards can be for research in a certain topic area, such as plant or animal science, environmental projects, or proposing best solutions to an engineering problem.  See our 2023 Special Awards for ideas, then fund an award of your own design.

LRSEF is part of a broader network of science and engineering fairs across the globe.

A gift of any amount helps local students present their ideas at higher levels, share ideas with their peers and receive international recognition. 

LRSEF nominates over 90 winners for the Kentucky State Science & Engineering Fair, held each year.  

LRSEF is affiliated with the international Society for Science, and LRSEF sends the BEST of FAIR high school students and teacher chaperones to the weeklong Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair, each year.  In 2024 this event will be held in Los Angeles, CA.  Your donation will help support travel grants for the LRSEF delegates to travel along with TEAM KY to this prestigious annual event.   

LRSEF is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. View our 2023 Annual Report.

Who We Are

Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair is a 100% volunteer organization with the mission to recognize and reward science, technology, engineering and mathematics excellence demonstrated by Kentucky students in grades 6-12. LRSEF encourages independent research and creative thinking by inspiring student to complete projects in one of 21 categories of science and engineering.

With a long history in the community, LRSEF will host their 57th science and engineering fair at University of Louisville Swain Activities Center on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Students from 52 KY counties are invited to register through their school fairs, or directly with LRSEF by mid February. Over $10,000 in awards, trophies, and prizes are given to students and schools on that day. LRSEF is affiliated with the Regeneron Intel International Science Fair for high school winners , the Broadcom MASTERS competition for middle school students and sends LRSEF winners to the KY State Science & Engineering Fair held each year.