Students and visitors browse projects at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair at the Riverside Convention Center. The 2026 fair drew 530 students presenting 367 projects, the most since 2016. (Photo courtesy Riverside County Office of Education)
The public is invited to view student science projects and watch an awards ceremony Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Riverside Convention Center, 3637 Fifth St., as part of the 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair.
Public viewing hours run from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by an awards ceremony at noon where gold and silver medals will be presented along with community awards. Both the viewing period and ceremony are free to attend.
This year's fair features 530 students from 30 school districts, charter schools, and private schools presenting 367 projects across 22 subject categories — the most projects and student participants since 2016. Riverside Unified School District is among the participating districts.
A student demonstrates his animatronic project during judging day at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair. (Photo courtesy Riverside County Office of Education)
Projects span a wide range of topics and grade levels, from a fourth-grader at Moreno Valley's North Ridge Elementary testing which fats make the biggest chocolate chip cookies to an 11th-grader at Temecula Valley's Great Oak High School researching DNA-based tools to detect brain cancer biomarkers. Students compete in three divisions: grades 4-5, junior (grades 6-8), and senior (grades 9-12).
"The brilliance and determination of students is on full display at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair, where projects explore the power of experimentation and a greater understanding of the natural world and how it works," said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. "By fostering curiosity, the power of observation, and critical thinking, this event showcases how students are striving to make an impact on their future and their community."
A judge questions elementary-age students about their hand warmer project during competition at the Riverside Convention Center. (Photo courtesy Riverside County Office of Education)
Top finishers in the junior and senior divisions will advance to the California State Science and Engineering Fair, held online April 11. Three senior division students will also qualify for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, set for May 9-15 in Phoenix, Arizona.
