The Ventura County Office of Education is proud to present the 63rd Ventura County Science Fair on Friday, March 24. Approximately 900 Ventura County students will be presenting more than 750 projects at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The students are among thousands in grades 6-12 who competed for the chance to present at the Fair. The theme of this year’s science fair is “Wonder."

Approximately 40 Ventura County Science Fair participants will advance to the California State Science Fair on April 24-25 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Many Ventura County students have placed in the top three for their categories and some have been awarded Project of the Year at the statewide competition.

Public Viewing of Entries

The public is invited to view the Science Fair entries on Friday, March 24 from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura (park in Lot C).

About the Ventura County Science Fair

With categories from animal sciences to physics, the Ventura County Science Fair is designed to promote and reward the achievements of our students in various scientific fields. By developing skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), students are laying the groundwork for their future success.

The Science Fair brings together students, teachers and scientists from around Ventura County to give students an awareness of the importance of science in their lives and to cultivate their interest in science careers. The Science Fair enhances students’ scientific knowledge and research skills, reinforces science content standards for California public schools and recognizes outstanding student achievement. It also motivates students to undertake and complete scientific inquiries in their special areas of interest.

Approximately 100 science, engineering and industry professionals from throughout Ventura County volunteer their time to serve as judges for the Science Fair.

Science Fair History

In 1954, two Ventura County students entered projects in the California State Science Fair in Los Angeles, which had started two years earlier. Since there was no Ventura County Science Fair at the time, Santa Paula High School senior Frank Aldon Nowak was forced to enter his project, Amateur Astronomy, directly to the state competition. Likewise for Oxnard High School sophomore Lloyd Raymond Taylor, whose project was titled Progress in Radio and Communications.

The following year, the Ventura County Science Fair was established. By 1957, the Ventura County Science Fair sent eight budding scientists to the state contest. Project titles from that year included Crystal Structure, Human Blood, Our Mineral Oil Friend, and How Would You Describe This Leaf?

More information about the Science Fair is available on the VCOE website.