Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair

The mission of the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair (LACSEF) is to increase literacy and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and related fields for Middle and High School students throughout Los Angeles County. LACSEF seeks to promote hands-on learning experiences, inquiry-based science, and design-thinking engineering that extends beyond the traditional classroom setting so that students develop the critical thinking, problem solving, and resilience skills necessary to prepare for future careers in STEM-related fields.

Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair is an organization dedicated to increasing literacy and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and related fields for over 900.000 Middle and High School students throughout Los Angeles County. It is estimated that over 3,000 students are impacted by the event, as students compete in school science fairs that feed into our fair. For many students, this is the only extracurricular access they have to STEM related activities. Our primary program is an annual Science and Engineering Fair designed to broaden student engagement in STEM. Along with feeder science and engineering fairs at participating schools, this event exposes middle and high school students to inquiry based science and design thinking engineering that takes them beyond the classroom and focuses on real-world problems. The next fair is scheduled for March 10 - 11, 2024 at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall. Through their projects, students develop and refine skills that span multiple disciplines, including but not limited to reading, research, critical thinking, math, writing, data analysis, computer science, organization, presentation, and time management. LASCEF employs a multifaceted approach to promote extracurricular STEM education in the community throughout the year. In addition to our science and engineering fair, we offer the following: LACSEF helps close the income gap by providing marginalized youth and their teachers with support needed to cultivate interest, develop their potential in these fields, and empower them to positively impact their communities. Through workshops and teacher mentorship programs we improve the knowledge and skills of teachers in under-resourced schools for implementing their own science and engineering fairs to develop student curiosity and excitement towards these fields. In order to eliminate any financial barriers to participation, we provide fee waivers to any Title I school or school with 80% or more under-represented minorities. LACSEF facilitates and develops a network of STEM teachers and professionals to help guide students through the processes of inquiry-based science and design-thinking engineering projects. These role models help students set practical goals, navigate through their project, identify resources and equipment, provide instruction on techniques and use of equipment, explain difficult concepts, and offer guidance on trouble-shooting problems. This process instills curiosity and excitement in STEM. LACSEF conducts multiple teacher workshops, designed to improve the knowledge and skills of teachers in implementing hands-on inquiry based science instruction and improving their science inquiry and design-thinking engineering curriculum, something that is at the heart of the Next Generation Science Standards. LACSEF conducts a public exhibition during the annual fair. Along with viewing the submitted projects and receiving presentations from students, attendees take part in interactive exhibits. These hands-on activities allow the public to learn about new technologies, interact with STEM professionals, and gain insight into STEM education and career opportunities.