Sunday, March 8, 2026

1,000 Students Head to Shrine Expo Hall for 76th LA County Science Fair

[photo credit: Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair]

Pasadena-area schools among those sending competitors to the two-day event, which features new categories in robotics and biomedical engineering

Approximately 1,000 middle and high school students from across Los Angeles County will present research projects at the 76th Annual Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair on March 8-9 at the Shrine Expo Hall, competing for medals, scholarships, and a shot at international competition.

The fair, organized by the all-volunteer nonprofit LACSEF and headquartered in South Pasadena, drew students from more than 140 schools countywide last year, according to the organization. Pasadena-area schools have been well represented in recent years — Blair High School, Pasadena High School, and Polytechnic School have all sent competitors to the annual event. Winners in the top two places in each category advance to the California State Science and Engineering Fair and may qualify for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

This year, LACSEF has revised and expanded its competition categories to include Applied Computational Science, Biomedical Engineering, and Robotics, according to the organization’s website. Students in grades 6 through 12 compete in Junior and Senior divisions.

The fair dates to 1950, when a group of Los Angeles science teachers created a competition for their schools. LACSEF describes it as one of the longest-running regional science fairs in the western United States. Last year, the 75th annual fair hosted approximately 1,150 students from more than 140 schools, and seven LA County students went on to win Grand Awards, Special Awards, and scholarships at the 2025 Regeneron ISEF in Columbus, Ohio, according to the LA County Office of Education.

Students submit their work online one week before the event. Judges review the submissions online and then meet students in person on March 9, when judging runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission to the fair is free.

LACSEF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and must raise more than $170,000 annually to cover event costs, according to the organization. The organization said it is still recruiting volunteer judges with science or engineering backgrounds for the March 9 judging day. Judge registration is open at lascifair.org.

The organization also offers a free self-paced training course for teachers, site coordinators, and parents preparing students for the competition. LACSEF provides fee waivers to Title I schools and schools where 80 percent or more of students are from underrepresented minority groups, according to the organization.

The Shrine Expo Hall is located at 665 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call 213-748-5116 or visit lascifair.org.

Seven LA County students won awards at the Regeneron ISEF last year, according to the LA County Office of Education. This weekend, a new group of young researchers will begin the same journey — starting with a poster board and an eight-minute interview at the Shrine.

76th Annual Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair ● Monday, March 09, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. ● Cost: Free admission ● For more information call: 213-748-5116 ● Or click here: https://www.lascifair.org/