Students across Northern Nevada will have a chance to showcase their science and engineering projects at a regional STEM fair returning to the area this spring.
The Northern Nevada STEM Fair is scheduled for March 6 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Registration is now open to eligible students in grades first through 12th across 12 Nevada counties.
The fair is a partnership between the SciVenture Science Fair and UNR. Students can enter individually or in teams of up to three, with prizes awarded in three divisions: SciVenture for grades first through fifth, junior high for grades sixth through eighth, and high school for grades ninth through 12th.
High school winners will also have the opportunity to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. The Northern Nevada STEM Fair is affiliated with the international competition in its first year, a process that typically takes at least two years, according to organizers.
“A STEM fair gives students the opportunity to turn their curiosity into real-world investigation and innovation,” Mark Ochs, a science teacher at Sky Ranch Middle School, said. “The launch of the Northern Nevada STEM Fair ensures that students across our region gain recognition for their innovative work."
The new regional fair builds on a local science fair tradition that ended in 2017, when George Ochs retired from organizing the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Mark Ochs is his nephew.
Two local high school students started the SciVenture Science Fair in 2025 after recognizing the lack of a regional science fair following the end of the Western Regional event. The student-led organizing committee later reached out to UNR and other colleges for support and volunteer judges, helping lead to the partnership behind the new fair.
“The NNSF's mission is to inspire the next generation of innovators,” SciVenture student organizer Vibhav Ganesan said. “We hope to show students that science is so much more than worksheets done at school; science is about unlocking the secrets of the universe, and harnessing nature to improve lives across the globe.”
UNR officials said the fair will give students an opportunity to explore scientific interests and present their work.
“As Nevada’s flagship land-grant University, we are committed to creating opportunities for young people across our state,” University Executive Vice President and Provost Jeff Thompson said. “The Northern Nevada STEM Fair gives students a chance to explore their curiosity, showcase their creativity, and take the first steps toward becoming the innovators and problem-solvers who will shape Nevada’s future.”
Students and potential sponsors can find more information about registration and supporting the fair online.
