OCSEF - Organizing the Orange County Science and Engineering Fair since 1955
2012 Science Fair Dates
School Request for > 15 entries: March 2
Online Registration close: March 21
Project Set-Up: April 6 and 7
Judging Day: Tuesday, April 10
Awards Ceremony: Sunday, April 15
For more Key Dates click here.
Welcome to the OCSEF
Welcome to the OCSEF website. Our Board of Directors has worked to rebuild and improve our web presence, but this is just the beginning! The OCSEF continues to develop our website and add resources for students, teachers, and parents. Check back regularly to see new changes.
It is an exciting time for students in science. Since 1955, the OCSEF has been committed to educating, guiding, and motivating students to engage in all fields of hands-on science. We have seen amazing changes in technology since then, and with technology redefining the precision, speed, and volume of data that a student can collect, there are more opportunities than ever for students to make amazing discoveries. We look forward to affecting even more radical change in the next 50 years. We at the OCSEF are committed to supporting this changing landscape.
Over the years, we've seen first-hand how effective students can be when challenged - and working strategically - to inquire, design and investigate topics that span the spectrum of physical and life sciences and beyond. Your participation as a student, teacher, judge, mentor, or volunteer helps the OCSEF promote science and inspire a new generation of scientifically literate, technological citizens.
Why be a Judge
...judging can affect students profoundly, sometimes altering their career choices...
Comments from past OCSEF judges:
“Thank you very much for allowing me to participate in this event as a judge. I had a great time reading the abstracts and was thrilled to see the projects as well as speak to the students. I would definitely be interested in joining you next year so do keep me in mind.”
“I thank you for a wonderful day! I had a great time meeting and working with all of my fellow judges.”
“I am greatly encouraged to see such enthusiasm for science and engineering with these youngsters. They are our future, the best and the brightest. I will indeed be a part of the next cycle as a judge.”
Paula Golden: A new generation's Sputnik moment
Published: March 29, 2011
Updated: 2:43 p.m.
Paula Golden: A new generation's Sputnik moment
By PAULA GOLDEN
Executive director, Irvine-based Broadcom Foundation, which supports science fair competitions in U.S. middle schools
Those of us who grew up near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, a region where in the 1950s sonic booms rumbled across the sky from experimental jet planes pushing the outer edge of the envelope, experienced firsthand how a complacent America was spurred into action on space by the Sputnik launch in October 1957. That beach-ball-size Soviet satellite spurred an inexorable team effort by millions of Americans in business, government and education – tapping our pioneer spirit to win the space race in one giant leap – reaching the moon first and ushering in revolutionary technological breakthroughs that continue to define our world.
The Intel ISEF
Competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) goes far beyond simply displaying your project. Imagine meeting and competing with the top young scientists from around the country and the world. Being selected to display your science project at this level is evidence of an exceptionally high level of talent and commitment, and is recognized by the top colleges and universities around the country. We at the OCSEF are committed to your success in this challenge, and we encourage you to contact us for more details if you are an Orange County 9th through 12th grade student interested in competing.
What Do Honey and Bees Have To Do With OCSEF?
It was the year 2010 and Catherine’s Bee Project turned out to be very interesting indeed. It turns out that shiny reflective scaffolds for solar panels make “bees go crazy, lose orientation and drop to their deaths”. Matte black frames around the solar panel are just fine however, and bees have no interest in them. The project title was “The Effect of Various Surfaces on the Behavior of Managed Bees” [http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2010?Projects/J2425.pdf].
Winning first place in Junior Zoology at OCSEF, it went on to the California State Science Fair and seemed to stop there... But this turns out to be an illusion...
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