Young Inland Empire scientists shine at county fairs, eye state and international stages
Riverside, California (High Desert News Online) – The 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair drew 530 students from 30 districts to the Riverside Convention Center on Feb. 27, showcasing 367 projects across 22 categories with winners advancing to state and international competitions.
- Large turnout: 530 students, 367 projects, three age divisions — the largest county fair since 2016.
- Top advancement: Junior and Senior winners move to the online California State Science and Engineering Fair (April 11, 2026); three Seniors will compete at ISEF in Phoenix.
- Hands-on focus: Popular categories include Chemistry and Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics (46 entries each), reflecting strong local STEM interest.
- Regional impact: County fairs serve as pipelines to scholarships, internships and workforce-ready skills for the High Desert and Inland Empire.
Riverside County fair: scale, winners and the path forward
Event snapshot: The 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair was held Feb. 27 at the Riverside Convention Center with public viewing on Feb. 28 and an awards ceremony at noon hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education newsroom.
Organizers reported 530 students from 30 districts presenting 367 projects across three age divisions and 22 subject categories. Officials described this year’s turnout as the largest in the county since 2016, a point highlighted by Riverside County Superintendent Dr. Edwin Gomez.
Division counts were published by county organizers: 115 Grade 4/5 (elementary), 136 Junior (grades 6–8) and 116 Senior (grades 9–12). Chemistry and Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics were the most popular topics, each drawing 46 entries — a sign of strong interest in hands-on engineering and laboratory science across districts. Full event details and participant listings are available from the Riverside County Office of Education newsroom.
Student science projects: breadth and real-world focus
Projects ranged from elementary experiments to advanced molecular research, showing how students apply classroom lessons to local and global problems. Judges evaluated entries on scientific method, experimental design, data analysis and community relevance.
- Elementary: a study testing chocolate chip cookie ingredients and their effects on outcomes.
- Middle school: a project exploring how light can propel spacecraft travel, tying to real physics and space applications.
- High school: research using DNA “tweezers” to study glioblastoma multiforme, reflecting advanced molecular techniques.
- Notable middle-school examples: “Human Mouth vs. Dog Mouth” by Madisynne Foltz (Grade 6) and “The Heat Is On!” by Jose Zavala and Legna Villegas (Grade 6), which examined bacterial levels and heat absorption on school surfaces.
“The fair helps students apply scientific thinking to community problems,” said Dr. Edwin Gomez, noting the event’s role in fostering curiosity and critical thinking.
San Bernardino County fair: SIMSEF and University of Redlands notes
San Bernardino County’s regional fair system operates under SIMSEF (San Bernardino | Inyo | Mono Science and Engineering Fair). SIMSEF traditionally advances top projects to ISEF and supports student travel and recognition.
For 2026, local reports indicated a San Bernardino County fair activity at the University of Redlands, where students presented projects; however, detailed official results, division counts and full winner lists were not publicly available at the time of reporting. Organizers and district contacts include coordinators such as Dr. Fermin Jaramillo and Mariano Aranda. Background on regional success and prior ISEF scholarships for Inland Empire students is documented in coverage such as the City News Group coverage and county program pages at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (science) site.
How the fairs prepare students for next steps
County fairs are training grounds for presentation skills, peer review, grant-seeking and networking with universities, businesses and civic sponsors. Organizers noted specific advancement paths:
- State level: Junior and Senior winners advance to the online California State Science and Engineering Fair on April 11, 2026.
- International level: Three Senior winners will advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9–15, 2026, in Phoenix — opportunities that can lead to scholarships and internships.
Educators’ view: Local superintendents emphasize that fairs build curiosity, observation and critical thinking — skills sought by employers and higher-education institutions. Winners often secure mentorships, internships or scholarships that translate into concrete career pathways.
Implications for the High Desert, California
County fair outcomes have several local implications:
- Economic impact: Student interest in engineering, chemistry and environmental science helps build a pipeline for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and logistics in the High Desert.
- Political consequences: The fairs showcase community-driven investment in practical education and workforce development that can influence local budget and policy priorities.
- Social effects: Projects addressing public health and school safety — like bacterial comparisons and heat-absorption studies — inform community conversations and local practices.
- Cultural relevance: Hands-on projects and applied research reflect regional values of practical problem-solving and self-reliance, offering role models for younger students.
- Practical applications: Districts can leverage fair results to justify investments in lab equipment, teacher training and partnerships with colleges and businesses.
Sources and further information
- Riverside County Office of Education newsroom — Student Scientists to Present Award-Winning Projects at 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair
- San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools — SIMSEF program information
- City News Group coverage — Inland Empire students’ ISEF successes
- San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools — science program pages
For follow-up and detailed award lists, readers and civic leaders in the High Desert can contact county offices of education and local district coordinators listed in the sources above for district-specific results and student advancement information.
