Resources

Resources Navigation

The internet is a great source of information. Here are some links to get you started:

OCSEF Research and Engineering Design Videos

Inspiration for Your Project

Other Science Fairs

Science Research Powerpoint Presentations

2022 OCSEF Research and Design Academy 101

Academy 101 – Session 1
Academy 101 – Session 2

Safety Resources

Safety Guidelines resources

Planning Report Writing

Dealing With Data – Statistics

Getting Started – Organization

Additional Resources for Any Fair

Research Symposiums, Competitions, Scholarships

American Mathematics Competitions Friendly mathematical contests for junior and senior high school students.

Bayer/NSF Award for Community Innovation Competition for teams of middle school students to find creative solutions to problems in their communities.

BioGENEius Challenge For high school students only; recognizes outstanding research in biotechnology. Process is state, regional, international—all held by sanofi-aventis. Top prize is a $7,500 cash award.

Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology (BEST) In six weeks, high school or middle school student teams design and build a remote controlled robot to compete against other schools.

Broadcom Masters Competition – Top Middle School Science Research Competition.  Top National prize is $25,000 scholarship, trip to Washington DC with 30 finalists.

CA State Science Fair  Over a 1,000 participants from 413 schools throughout the State who met in competition for awards totaling $50,000.

California Envirothon students are challenged to work as a team to answer written questions and conduct hands-on projects focusing on environmental issues in five disciplines: Forestry, Wildlife, Aquatics, Soils and a current environmental issue.  Regional and national competitions, with awards up to $5, 000/student.

Chemical Olympiad Multi-tiered competition for high-schoolers.

Discovery Young Scientist Challenge A national science fair competition for grades 5-8. Students are nominated to take place in the DYSC by representatives at their local science fairs. 40 finalists will come to Washington for a week in October to participate in the competition finals.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL): Using LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System technology, middle school student teams build robots to compete in robotics.

FIRST Robotics Competition High school teams build robotics to compete in a national competition.

Future City: National competition in which 7th and 8th graders learn and explore engineering to create a city of the future, using reality-based education software SimCity 2000.

Future Scientists and Engineers of America Club Step-by-step instructions on how to start a Future Scientists and Engineers of America Club in your school or neighborhood.

Google Science Fair: The Google Science Fair is an online science competition open to students ages 13-18 from around the globe. Top prize is a $50,000 scholarship.

Intel International Science & Engineering Fair  Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF): For high school students only, who must first qualify at an affiliated fair. Top prize is a $50,000 scholarship.

Intel Science Talent Search High school students compete their independent research projects in this prestigious competition run by Science Service. 10 top scholarship winners are chosen in March with a $100,000 scholarship as the top prize.

International Bridge Building Contest High school students get a flavor of what it is to be an engineer as they design and construct model bridges. The website gives information on regional contests and starting a new affiliated contest in your area.

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium National program for high school students to compete at forty-eight regional competitions. The top finalists receive scholarships.

Lemelson-MIT High School InvenTeams Grants Student-Teacher teams apply for $10,000 grants to invent something of value for their school or community.

Los Angeles County Science Fair Largest regional science fair in the west. Monetary and Special Awards for over 1,200 MS-HS students from public and private schools throughout the county.

Mathcounts A national math coaching and competition program for 7th and 8th grade students.

National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Develop and construct an experimental rocket, from initial concept to completed payload. Join a NAR club in your area, start a club, compete, or integrate rocket building into your school curriculum.

National Robotics Challenge Middle school through university students demonstrate knowledge of robotics and manufacturing technology in regional competitions.

Odyssey of the Mind Annual competition to promote creative team-based problem solving for students from kindergarten through college in a variety of areas, from building mechanical devices to interpreting literary classics.

QuickScience Challenge-USC  a competition for teams of middle school and high school students that create projects and portfolios on a science subject related to marine or freshwater environments. Top prize is a week at USC Wrigley Marine Science Center at Catalina Island.

Siemens Competition Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology: A competition for high school students. Top prize is a $100,000 scholarship.

Southern California Science Olympiad  Rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the year. The competitions follow the format of popular board games, TV shows and athletic games. Regional and state tournaments with awards.

TEAMS has pre-college engineering programs and competitions, usually for high school students, to design, fabricate and demonstration a working solution to a social need.

The Internet Science and Technology Fair Student teams use the Internet to collaborate with assigned project advisors and research their topic over the course of the school year. Teams are judged on the web page that they produce, relating their project and findings.

Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition The Marine Advanced Technological Education (MATE) Center and the Marine Technology Society (MTS) sponsor an underwater ROV design and building competition for high school and college students.

USA Computing Olympiad Individual high school students compete in Internet competitions or compete for a place on the U.S. Team.

Science, Math, & Engineering Summer Enrichment Programs

Academic Talent Development Program Summer robotics courses at UC Berkeley.

Berkeley Foundation for Opportunities in Information Technology’s IT Leadership Program (BFOIT) Year-round program with monthly meetings, and a two-week stay at UC Berkeley’s Engineering Department. Aims to educate and train students in technology and leadership skills.

California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)  Four-week residential summer program for 8th-12th graders at three UC campuses (Davis, Irvine and Santa Cruz) for high school students who excel in math and science. Application deadline is March 15.

Caltech YESS (Young Engineering and Science Scholars)  Caltech offers this program to promising high school students from economically disadvantaged and underrepresented minority backgrounds. It provides an enrichment program to stimulate their interest in the sciences.

Caltrans Summer Engineering Institute

San Francisco State University / 1600 Holloway Avenue / San Francisco, CA 94132 (510) 286-6108

Two-week program for students completing 10th and 11th grades who are interested in the engineering and technology fields. The program application process is competitive and only 50 students will be selected.  No cost.

Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland, CA  Summer day camp for youth.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science  (Los Angeles, CA)  The STEP-UP Program provides a hands-on summer research experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in exploring research careers in the biomedical, behavior

CNSI NanoScience Lab: Summer Workshop for high school students interested in advanced science and technology. The CNSI Nanoscience Lab at UCLA an exclusive summer workshop for high school students interested in advanced science and technology.

COSMOS – The California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science. The mission of COSMOS is to motivate the most creative minds of the new generation of prospective scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will become leaders of California, the nation, and the world. The program aims to create a community of students who participate in and contribute to an intensive academic experience delivered by distinguished educators and scholars.

DEVELOP  DEVELOP is a NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences-sponsored internship that fosters the training and development of students in the atmospheric and earth sciences at the NASA Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA)

Earthwatch Expeditions – Teens

George Washington University Science & Engineering Apprenticeship program This program places academically talented high school Students (at least 16 yrs old, sophomores/juniors) with interest in science & math in Department of Defense laboratories for an 8-week period over the summer. The program provides experience in the world of scientific research, with hands-on exposure to scientific & engineering practices not available in the HS environment. It is a paid apprenticeship and the students are assigned a scientist or engineer as their mentor. Find out more

The Generation Google Scholarship The Generation Google Scholarship is awarded to current high school seniors intending to study computer science at a university in the US or Canada.

High School Summer Research Program at Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science- opportunities in all areas of Engineering The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science (HSSEAS) in conjunction with the Engineering Science Corps Outreach Program offers an eight-week summer program.

iD Tech Camps Educational summer computer camps for the children ages 8-17. Located at various universities (locally at UC Berkeley, St Mary’s in Orinda, and Stanford University)

Lawrence Hall of Science Camps  Residential camps, backpacking trips and wildlife biology and marine biology research stations camps around California with interactive science explorations and recreation. Age 8-16.

LEAD Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)  The Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) provides diverse, high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Minority Introduction to Engineering, Science and Entrepreneurship Features courses in calculus, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, Entrepreneurship, writing and design. Includes lectures, field trips, and cultural and fun trips.

Mineta Summer Transportation Institute Cheryl Connolly, Director/ 1180 Spring Hill Way/ San Jose, CA 95120/ FAX:  (408) 924-7565/

Free three and a half week program for any high school student. Can receive three San Jose State University units in Environmental or Political Science. You will learn about many diverse careers available in the field of transportation from marketing, public relations, safety, engineering, and science.

MITES Program (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) at MIT MITES is a challenging 6 week summer program that prepares promising rising seniors for careers in engineering and science. If you are selected, all educational, housing, meals and activity costs are covered. You must, however, pay for your own transportation to and from MIT.

DEVELOP  a NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences-sponsored internship that fosters the training and development of students in the atmospheric and earth sciences .

National Space Club Scholars Program, sponsored by NASA  This is a 6 week summer internship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. It is open to students who will be 16 years old and have completed the 10th grade, have demonstrated high academic success, and have an interest in space science or engineering as a career.

National Youth Leadership Forum  Summer week-long program for high school students, usually at the end of July or beginning of August. Program is based in San Jose, but will include visits to most major bay area universities and companies. Includes site visits, seminars, and behind-the-scenes exploration of technology.  No application – done by invitation only.

North Carolina State University, The Science House Imhotep Academy Hands-on science and mathematics learning program, emphasizing the contributions of scientists and inventors of all cultures. Grades 6-7.

Programs in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) Department of Mathematics / Boston University / 111 Cummington Street / Boston, MA  02215 / (617) 353-2563   Six-week program for students completing 9th – 11th grades, at Boston University,  designed to encourage motivated high school students to explore the creative world of mathematics in a supportive community of peers, counselors, research mathematicians, and visiting scientists.  Reasonably priced.

Pt. Reyes Science Camp  Environmental education, hiking, beach exploring, crafts, science projects & 1 night backpack trip at Pt Reyes National Seashore in Marin.

Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network NASA SHARP PLUS Establishes individual working relationships between under-represented students and active science and engineering researchers in aerospace-related fields. Students live on campus, carry out research assignments with mentors, prepare reports, and make oral presentations.

Research Science Institute (RSI)  8201 Greensboro Drive / Suite 215 / McLean, VA 22102  (703) 448-9062
Six-week program for 75 students completing 11th grade.  Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and offered at MIT.   Rigorous academic program emphasizing advanced theory and research in mathematics, the sciences, technology and engineering. Very competitive application process. No on-site cost to participants. 

Sally Ride Science Camps (Berkeley, CA)  Sally Ride Science Camps encourage girls’ interests in science by giving them hands-on science learning and activities in an environment that is designed to be supportive, enriching.

Santa Clara University Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) / School of Engineering / 500 El Camino Real / Santa Clara, CA  95053 

Five-day program for students completing 10th & 11th grades.  The Summer Engineering program has two sessions and designed to acquaint participants with the engineering profession, motivating them to enter science and engineering majors.  Competitive application process.  Girls and under-represented minorities are encouraged to apply.  All on-site fees are paid by grants.

Shad Program The Shad Valley program is an exciting summer learning and employment opportunity designed for top students in senior high school.

Stanford Medical Center 2-Day Summer Workshop  Stanford Medical School Campus   2-day summer workshop for current sophomores and juniors who have a serious interest in pursuing a health or medical career.  Immerse yourself in hands-on medicine, such as state-of-the-art anatomy and surgery simulations, lab demonstrations, and discussions on current medical topics.  Develop a competitive portfolio for a medical or health career. 

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program  Stanford University School of Medicine / 211 Quarry Road, Room N229 / Stanford, CA 94305-5705

Five-week residential program for students (completing 10th – 11th grades) from a low-income background who are interested in science, medicine, and health and have demonstrated intelligence, maturity, and initiative.  No cost to participants.

Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) The SUMaC program brings mathematically talented and motivated high-school students from across the United States, and from around the world, to Stanford University for four weeks of serious mathematical pursuits. The goals of the program are to provide access for these students to advanced topics in mathematics, to lead these students through topics that are of great significance to mathemetics and the sciences, and to provide a friendly social environment for interaction between SUMaC participants and Stanford Mathematics Department faculty and students.

STEPS (Science, Technology & Engineering Preview Summer Camp for Girls) STEPS is a tuition-free, residential program for middle and high school students held on 6 college campuses in 3 states throughout June, July and August.

Summer Science Program  SSP c/o Happy Valley School / P.O. Box 850 / Ojai, CA  93024-0850 / (866) 728-0999

Two six-week enrichment programs in each of which 36 gifted high school students (completing 10th – 11th grades) complete a challenging hands-on research project in celestial mechanics.  Students learn college-level astronomy, physics, calculus and programming, take telescopic observations, and write software to convert observations into predictions.  Two campuses:  New Mexico Tech in Socorro and Besant Hill School in Ojai, California.   Partially subsidized program.

Tech Camp – UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering & Applied Science

Are you a high school student interested in exercising your imagination and building things with your hands? Are you interested in learning more about engineering? Need some …read more

The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, CA  Summer Day camp for ages 9-14.

UCLA Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity “SMARTS” Program  Admitted students participate in CEED’s Annual Science Mathematics Achievement and Research Technology for Students Program (SMARTS). SMARTS is a six-week summer college preparation program at UCLA designed to engage traditionally underrepresented students in rigorous science, technology, engineering and math instruction and training. Participants engage in math courses, SAT preparation, research, and college and career planning workshops. Students also complete six weeks of research in UCLA labs through the Research Assistance Program. The six-week experience is culminated with a closing ceremony where Research Apprentices formally present their projects to an audience of faculty, staff, parents and their peers.

UCLA Summer Sessions: Stem Cell Biology, Politics and Ethics

“Stem Cell Biology, Politics, and Ethics: Teasing Apart Issues” introduces students to the fundamentals of stem cell theory and research. Through lectures and discus …read more

University of California Davis Young Scholars Program  One Shields Ave. / University of California / Davis, CA 95616  530-752-0622  Unique six-week college credit program for 40 high achieving students completing 10th – 11th grades.  An interdisciplinary summer research program in biological, environmental and agricultural sciences. 

Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP) The STEP-UP Program provides a hands-on summer research experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in exploring research careers in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences. The program provides exposure to the core NIDDK mission areas of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.

University of Florida Student Science Training Program  SSTP is a seven-week residential program for rising 10-11th grade students who are interested in careers in science, math, computers, and engineering.

US Space Summer Camp U.S. Space Camp is a five-day program jam-packed with astronaut training for young people. Activities include simulated Space Shuttle missions, IMAX movies, training simulators (like the 1/6th Gravity Chair), rocket building and launches, scientific experiments, and lectures on the past, presents, and future of space exploration. Locations: Alabama and California.

Resources courtesy of Anne Maben