RSEF Information for Students Conducting Research

Every March, students from almost every high school and at the Academies of Loudoun enter research and engineering projects in the LCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fair (RSEF) to compete for a variety of prizes.  These prizes include placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention in one of 21 categories (which comes with a monetary award) as well as numerous special awards that include certificates, monetary awards, opportunities to participate in special events, and various other prizes.  A small group of projects are also chosen as our Finalists who will represent LCPS as competitors at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).  Along with monetary awards from RSEF, these finalists are provided an all expenses paid trip to ISEF where they will have the opportunity to compete in categories and grand awards totaling almost $400,000.  The top prize is $75,000 with two other awards of $50,000 each.  They will also compete in the ISEF Special Awards Program awards totaling around $4 million in tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips and laboratory equipment.  

The LCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fair (RSEF) is intended to:

• to stimulate student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• to encourage students to engage in research in STEM fields.
• to provide students opportunities to present research to STEM professionals and the community, and
• to give public recognition to students for their work.

There are several pathways to participating at the LCPS RSEF through county programs in which students design and implement scientific research or engineering projects aimed at potentially competing at the LCPS RSEF. 

If you are considering conducting a science or engineering research project and are interested in entering the RSEF, you must make sure your interest is known by your teachers/school before November 3rd or you may not be able to participate in RSEF.

If you are interested in potentially participating, please refer to the 2024 RSEF Information Brief.