Record Number of Students in NM Science & Engineering Fair
Students compete in 73rd annual North Museum Science & Engineering Fair, presented by The Arconic Foundation
The 2026 NMSEF includes more than 250 student finalists, an increase of 39% over 2025 participation levels, and the largest level of participation since prior to the Pandemic.
(LANCASTER)—The public is invited to join families, fans and friends to see over 250 young scientists’ and engineers’ experimental projects as Lancaster and Lebanon County students in grades 6 through 12 as they present a diverse body of science projects at the North Museum Science & Engineering Fair (NMSEF), Thursday, March 12 at Millersville University. Student projects will be accessible to the public from 4pm to 6:30pm. The NMSEF Awards ceremony follows at 6:30pm.
The 2026 NMSEF includes more than 250 student finalists, an increase of 39% over 2025 participation levels, and the largest level of participation since prior to the Pandemic. More than 70 volunteers from a wide cross section of local educational institutions and STEM- focused businesses will judge the student projects representing 16 high schools and 12 middle schools.
The top two students’ projects from the NMSEF’s senior division—the Grand Champion and the Senior Champion—earn the right to travel to the International Science and Engineering Fair and compete with 1,700 of their peers from around the world in Phoenix, Arizona from May 9 through 15, 2026.
North Museum has been organizing the Science & Engineering Fair for 16 years, welcoming students in grades 6–12 from public, private, charter, online, parochial, and home schools. The NMSEF is one of just six fairs in Pennsylvania associated with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international science competition for pre-college students.
“The North Museum is grateful for the ongoing generosity of our many sponsors, and their commitment to supporting access to STEM education opportunities for students in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties,” says Scott Downs, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. “We are also thankful for the outstanding contributions from our judges, volunteers and participating teachers and students.”
Dr. Dan Daneker, the museum’s Science Fair Coordinator, commented, “Seeing these young stemologists excited for their research is not only gratifying as a science teacher, but reassuring that the future is bright. The Science and Engineering Fair helps our young scientists and engineers learn if research is right for them. Coupled with the commitment of the local STEM community who rallies behind our students, the results are amazing!"
Those interested in sponsoring future science fairs to keep them free to all students should contact Scott Downs, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at sdowns@northmuseum.org.
The 2026 North Museum Science & Engineering Fair is sponsored by Electron Energy Company, Kenvue, Eurofins, the Lancaster County STEM Alliance, Matt Glick, Lancaster Area Sewer Authority, The Stangl Foundation and Millersville University.
List of Categories
NMSEF Categories (Senior Division)
- Animal & Behavioral Science
- Biochemistry & Biomedical Science
- Chemistry, Energy, & Materials Science
- Earth & Environmental Sciences
- Environmental, Engineering Technology & Robotics
- Microbiology
- Physics & Mathematics
- Plant Sciences
NMSEF Categories (Junior Division)
- Botany
- Consumer Science
- Earth Science
- Engineering
- Life Science
- Physical Science
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2025 Science Fair Winners Announced
NEARLY 200 STUDENTS COMPETED, 2 CHAMPIONS ON THEIR WAY TO ISEF
Photography by @anneoftheforest and Soliman Photo & Video
Nearly 200 students from 23 schools in Lancaster and Lebanon counties gathered at Millersville University on Thursday to show off their science projects at the North Museum Science & Engineering Fair. The students were vying for a chance to compete against 1,500 of their peers from around the world in May at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio. The fair’s junior division had 125 student competitors, while the senior division had 57. The regional competition, which North Museum hosts annually at MU, is one of six fairs associated with the international competition, and the top two projects in the senior division proceed to the world stage at no cost to the students.
For more, go to LancasterOnline.com.
(LANCASTER) March 13, 2025—North Museum congratulates all the students who competed at the 72nd annual North Museum Science and Engineering Fair, presented by Arconic Foundation! Our heart-felt thanks to the judges, coordinators, teachers, sponsors and all who make this fair a STEM success! Congratulations Ansh Dwivedi, Grand Champion, and Ethan Albright, Senior Division Champion, for winning top honors! They have both earned a place at the ISEF to compete with 1,700 of their peers from around the world! North Museum is honored to pay for registration, fees, travel, and accommodations for its two Champions.
For all senior and junior division category winners, visit our Science and Engineering Fair Winners Page.
2025 Grand Champion
Ansh Dwivedi, Warwick High School, 12th Grade
Category: Chemistry, Energy, & Materials Science
Senior Division Champion
Ethan Albright, Hempfield High School, 11th Grade
Category: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Senior Division Reserve Champion
Ella Strickler, Elizabethtown Area High School, 12th Grade
Category: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Junior Division Champion
Alden Hendricks, Lancaster Country Day School, 8th Grade
Category: Plant Science
Junior Division Reserve Champion
Jermaine Edwards, Lancaster Country Day School, 8th Grade
Category: Earth Science
Photography by: Soliman Photo & Video
Registration Open for North Museum Science & Engineering Fair
Registration Opens for North Museum’s Science & Engineering Fair
Lebanon County school teachers and students invited to join 73-year-old competition!
(LANCASTER)—Registration for participation in the North Museum’s Science and Engineering Fair (NMSEF) is now open for Lebanon County teachers and adult sponsors. For the first time in its 73 years, the Science and Engineering Fair, presented by the Arconic Foundation, is open to Lebanon County school students in addition to the students of Lancaster County’s 20 schools, resulting in a forecasted record-setting number of competitors. All student registrations are free of charge and open to students in grades 6 through 12 from public, private, charter, online, parochial, and home schools. The competition will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Millersville University.
Teachers and students in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to note these submission deadlines: Now through October 21, 2024, teachers may confirm their intent to participate. Students may submit their registration form from October 1 through October 21, 2024. Teachers/adult sponsors are advised to directly assist students as they complete the registration form. North Museum will also offer support to all educators wishing to assist students in finding a project, developing a research plan, and supporting student research.
The inclusion of Lebanon County students marks the NMSEF’s expansion to a regional fair, joining Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg’s Capital Area events as Pennsylvania’s four regional science and engineering fairs. As one of six fairs in Pennsylvania affiliated with the world’s largest pre-college competition, the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the NMSEF’s top two students’ projects from the senior division earn a place at the ISEF to compete with 1500 of their peers from around the world. The North Museum pays for registration, fees, travel and accommodations for its two Champions. Lebanon County has no similar competitive science and engineering event.
“The North Museum is thrilled by the generosity of the Arconic Foundation, and their ongoing commitment to supporting access to STEM education opportunities for students in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties,” says Scott Downs, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. “We continue to be grateful for the financial support we receive from the many sponsors of the NMSEF, as well as the outstanding contributions from our judges, volunteers, and participating teachers and students.”
Presenting sponsor Arconic Foundation’s $50,000 grant will have a crucial impact on central PA’s student scientists. Businesses interested in sponsorships may contact Scott Downs, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. Community volunteers are also needed to assist at the event and may contact sciencefair@northmuseum.org.
North Museum’s resident astronomer, Cole Penkunas, commented,
“As a former Warwick High School student, the NMSEF was the pinnacle of my STEM education each year. The competition was formidable and prepared me for the demands of thesis fulfillment at The Pennsylvania State University, where I focused my research on very massive stars, particularly luminous blue variables, Wolf-Rayet stars, and their possible link. I’m excited to see what the young scientists in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties will bring to the competition this year!”