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The 2026 Regional Science Fair will be held at WPI on March 6th!
The 2026 Regional Science Fair will be held at WPI on March 6th!
The Worcester Regional Science & Engineering Fair encourages scientifically talented Worcester area high school (9-12) students to enter the annual fair held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It is not necessary for a school to hold its own science fair in order to enter the Regional Fair. Students involved in research or independent study projects may enter directly. Each school may send up to twelve (12) projects to the regional fair each year. Students must inform and consult with their science teacher and school before beginning a science research project.
The science fair provides an invaluable experience for students to present their own work and share ideas with others. Students should review the MSEF Ethics Statement to ensure their project is eligible for submission to the WRSEF or MSEF fairs. Science inquiry and research are also part of the Massachusetts Science Curriculum Frameworks.
How to Enter:
How to Enter:
The steps, phases, and components of science fair participation are outlined here. The Science Research Process Handbook and the Engineering Design Process Handbook detail the entire science fair process from start to finish. The Science Fair Ready Checklist is another helpful resource that will guide you through the process. To view the full rules, regulations, and requirements, the 2026 MSEF High School Manual can be found here.
Before beginning your project, students must create a Research Plan and submit this to the SRC. Templates for Research Plans, which vary by project type, can be found here.
Once the research plan is in place, students must complete a paperwork package. For EVERY project, this will include:
Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor
Form 1A: Student Checklist
Form 1B: Approval Form and MSEF permissions
Form 3: Risk Assessment
Some projects will require additional paperwork depending on the type of experiment performed. Students can access these forms and other forms necessary for restricted areas of research by using the zFAIRS. This wizard-like software will lead students through the account application process and generate the forms needed for the project. The students will then need to complete the forms, obtain signatures, and upload the forms to their zFairs account.
NOTE: An account should NOT be created until you are ready to upload your project proposal in its entirety!
The Scientific Review Committee (SRC) must review and approve the project before the experiment can begin. The SRC will review projects as they are submitted, but make note of the following deadlines:
December 15, 2025, MIDNIGHT: Deadline for Project Pre-Approval/Consent and Safety Forms
January 15, 2026, MIDNIGHT: Deadline for projects that do not require pre-approval, final paperwork and forms due.
Additional resources for students completing a science fair project can be viewed below:
WRSEF, MSEF, and ISEF: Rules and Regulations
WRSEF, MSEF, and ISEF: Rules and Regulations
The Worcester Regional Science & Engineering Fair (WRSEF) is affiliated with the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) and the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). Therefore, the WRSEF must adhere to the rules and regulations of the MSEF, ISEF and all applicable State/Local Laws.
View the High School Fair Manual here.
View the MSEF Handbooks and Forms here.
View the MSEF Ethics Statement here.
Rules and Guidelines: WRSEF High School Fair
Rules and Guidelines: WRSEF High School Fair
General Standards
General Standards
Students may enter projects on any scientific, mathematical, or engineering subject. The exhibitor must be in grades 9-12 in any public, private, or parochial charter or home school in the Worcester Regional District. No distinction by grade is made in judging or granting awards. Projects may be the work of an individual student or a team.
The maximum number of projects that can be promoted to WRSEF from each school is 12.
Team Projects
Team Projects
Teams should consist of no more than three students. Each team member should be fully involved in the project. and should be equally engaged in conversations with judges.
Team projects will be evaluated using the same rules and judging criteria as individual projects.
Team projects are eligible for awards at the Regional Fair and can compete in the State Fair.
Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Deadlines:
Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Deadlines:
December 15, 2025: FINAL deadline to submit project for SRC approval PRIOR to experimentation - projects requiring pre-approval that are submitted after this date will not be considered for the 2026 WRSEF Fair.
January 15, 2026: FINAL deadline to submit projects to ZFairs - projects submitted after this date will not be considered for the 2026 WRSEF Fair.
Project Submission Requirements for Competition in the Fair:
Students will need to submit an abstract to z-fairs by Midnight on March 5th.
Students are expected to have a laboratory notebook and a poster presentation at the fair.
2026 Dates and Deadlines:
2026 Dates and Deadlines:
High School Fair Deadlines:
December 15, 2025, MIDNIGHT: Deadline for Project's requiring Pre-Approval/Consent and Safety Forms
January 15, 2026, MIDNIGHT: Deadline for projects that do not require pre-approval, final paperwork and forms due.
February 26th: Deadline for teachers to provide a list of students for Fair participation to the WRSEF Chair. Instructions will be sent to teachers via email.
Thursday, March 5, MIDNIGHT: Deadline to add abstract to the entry tab of your profile. Bring final supporting files like 1C and form 7 if required.
March 6, 2025: MA Region 2 Science & Engineering Fair at WPI
April 9, 2025: Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair - Worcester DCU
May 9-15, 2025: International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), Phoenix, AZ
The Day of the Fair - Tentative Agenda:
The Day of the Fair - Tentative Agenda:
Student Arrival and Registration: 7:45 am - 8:15 am
Safety Check: 7:30 am - 9 am
Judging Arrival: 8:00 am - 8:30 am
Judge Orientation: 8:30 am - 9 am
Project Judging: 9 am - 2 pm
Lunch time slots will be assigned upon arrival
Scores Close: 2:30 pm
Public Viewing: 2 pm - 3:45 pm
Award Ceremony: 4 pm - 5 pm
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