North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair
The next generation of scientists and engineers to compete in the North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair.
State junior and senior division superstars will vie for honors at the 73rd annual North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair (NDSSEF) at UND on March 30-31, 2023. Top finishers in the senior division will advance to compete in the 2023 International Science and Engineering Fair.
NDSSEF 2023
The 2023 North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair will be held in Grand Forks, ND at the Memorial Union on the campus of the University of North Dakota, March 30-March 31, 2023.
Register
Registration date/time TBD
COVID-19 Protocols
The health and safety of all NDSSEF participants, judges, and guests is our top priority. We will be following recommendations from ND officials based on developing policies at the national level.
- The fair will be an in-person physical fair.
- Masks are required during the fair.
- Tables are being spaced apart as much as possible.
- Should the 2023 North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair be canceled, there is no guarantee of a make-up or a virtual fair. No hybrid fair is offered.
Banquet
This year, NDSSEF participants will enjoy a night of Northern Air fun and pizza. We have reserved the Northern Air Family Fun Center (1600 32nd Ave. S., Grand Forks, ND 58201) for Science Fair students, teachers, and chaperoning adults Thursday evening from 5-7:30 p.m. Northern Air offers trampolines, laser tag, and a NEW Hologate Virtual Reality game. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Please see the waiver section below for the required waiver.
Registration and Setup
- Beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 30, students and teachers may enter the Memorial Union to set up the project displays.
- Wifi will be available for participants. We plan to have IT help available Thursday morning.
- Departmental activities and classroom visits (for 11th and 12th graders) are scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Lunch Provided
UND will provide lunch on Friday for student exhibitors, alternates, and teachers/chaperones.
Awards Ceremony
The new Memorial Union Ballroom is large enough to accommodate both the displays and the Award Ceremony. Awards will be announced after judging and award preparation are completed, Friday early evening.
Parking
FREE Parking is ONLY available for buses and cars in the parking lot across (east of) Columbia Road from the parking ramp. This lot will be marked with signs that say NDSSEF Parking.
- If you prefer to park in the ramp adjacent to the Memorial Union, you MUST pay through the Passport app (signs posted) or with a credit card at the kiosk, or you will get a parking ticket.
- Parking tickets are not covered by UND or the Science Fair.
NDSSEF Information & Guidelines
Student participation fees to compete in the regional and state fairs are paid by the North Dakota IDeA (Institutional Development Award) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which is administered by the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. UND sponsors for other activities include the Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice-President for Research, The Graduate School, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Engineering and Mines, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, and the College of Business and Public Administration. The City of Grand Forks and the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau contributed significant community support to the event.
International Science & Engineering Fair
Senior division first-place winners of the North Dakota competition will advance to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair. National, regional and state organizations will recognize the efforts of the students with awards and scholarships.
May 12-19, 2023
Will be held in Dallas, Texas
INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR (ISEF)
NDSSEF Regional Fairs
Qualifying Fair
March 14, 2023
Williston State College
Regional Director
Deb Moe
P.O. Box 102
Tioga, ND 58852
debra.moe@k12.nd.us
Counties:
Divide, Williams, McKenzie, Burke, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, Bottineau, McHenry
Qualifying Fair
March 8, 2023
Regional Director
Lorraine O’Shea
Mark Sanford Education Center
2400 47th Ave S
Grand Forks, ND 58201
loshea270@mygfschools.org
NE Regional Fair Information
Counties:
Grand Forks, Nelson, Walsh, Pembina, Cavalier, Towner, Rolette, Pierce, Benson, Ramsay
Qualifying Fair
March 14, 2023
North Dakota Gateway to Science
Regional Director
Elgin-New Leipzig Public Schools
c/o Erica Larson
110 West Street N
Elgin, ND 58533
erica.larson@k12.nd.us
Counties:
Adams, Billings, Bowman, Burleigh, Dunn, Emmons, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark
Qualifying Fair
March 13, 2023
North Dakota State University
Regional Director
Patty Kratcha
406 1st Ave SW
Hankinson, ND 58041
patty.kratcha@k12.nd.us
Counties:
Richland, Cass, Sargent, Ransom, Barnes, Steele, Griggs, Eddy, Foster, Wells, Stutsman, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, Dickey, McIntosh
NDSSEF History
The first North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair was held in 1950. The first held at UND was in 2011.