North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair
A fun-filled event of student-led innovation and discovery.
State junior and senior divisions of students contended for honors each year at the North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair (NDSSEF). An annual showcase of student research spanning topics from energy to water quality, this event is a great opportunity to see the bright minds of tomorrow. The fair dates to 1950, with UND hosting since 2011. Top senior division finishers advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Join the Fair
If you would like to participate in a fair, please contact your regional director. Contact information can be found under the respective regions below.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are always needed for regional and state fairs. Contact your regional director or Gwen Klawon to volunteer at the state fair.
Contact
- gwendolyn.klawon@UND.edu
- 701.777.3390
- tanaschafer13@gmail.com
- 701.412.1381
NDSSEF Regional Fairs
Qualifying Fair
January 29, 2026
Williston State College
Regional Director
Danika Owan
Williston Middle School
501 14th St. West
Williston, N.D. 58801
danika.owan@willistonschools.org
Counties
- Bottineau
- Burke
- Divide
- McHenry
- McKenzie
- Mountrail
- Renville
- Ward
- Williams
Qualifying Fair
March 3, 2026
University of North Dakota
Regional Director
Lorraine O’Shea
Mark Sanford Education Center
2400 47th Ave S
Grand Forks, ND 58201
lorraineoshea79@gmail.com
Counties
- Benson
- Cavalier
- Grand Forks
- Nelson
- Pembina
- Pierce
- Ramsay
- Rolette
- Towner
- Walsh
Qualifying Fair
March 16, 2026
Bismarck, N.D.
Regional Director
Gretchen Flatz
Dickinson Middle School
2675 21st W
Dickinson ND 58601
gflatz@dpsnd.org
Counties:
- Adams
- Billings
- Bowman
- Burleigh
- Dunn
- Emmons
- Golden Valley
- Grant
- Hettinger
- McLean
- Mercer
- Morton
- Oliver
- Sheridan
- Sioux
- Slope
- Stark
Qualifying Fair
March 9, 2026
Fargodome, Fargo, N.D.
Regional Directors
Marissa Motschenbacher
Lidgerwood Public School
28 3rd Ave SE
Lidgerwood, ND 58053
marissa.oestreicher@k12.nd.us
Counties
- Barnes
- Cass
- Dickey
- Eddy
- Foster
- Griggs
- Kidder
- LaMoure
- Logan
- McIntosh
- Ransom
- Richland
- Sargent
- Steele
- Stutsman
- Wells
NDSSEF Board Members
- Tana Schafer
- Victoria Chambers
- Gretchen Flatz
- Danika Owens
- Marissa Motschenbacher
- Lorraine O’Shea
- Karen Cisek
- Gwendolyn Klawon
International Science & Engineering Fair
The North Dakota Science & Engineering Fair is affiliated with the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). Rules, required forms and further information can be found on the ISEF website.
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.