2026 ISEF FINALISTS
Congratulations to the following students who will be representing the Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair at ISEF 2026!
Please click the student’s name to see their ProjectBoard
Anuki Mudalige –Â from Olentangy Orange High School, Lewis Center, 10th
Ayat Jaffar – Hawken School, Gates Mills, 11th
Bradley Field –Â Chagrin Falls High School, Chagrin Falls, 10th
Nandita Srikumar – Solon High School, Solon, 12th
Rishi Pampati – Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati, 11th
Sarang Srikanth – William Mason High School, Mason, 10th
Please see the full press release here.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
The Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair (BSEF) provides all Ohio’s students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to qualify for the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). The ISEF is the largest and most prestigious science fair in the world. The BSEF will advance a total of six (6) student projects to the ISEF, where they will be joined by students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 75 countries, regions, and territories. ISEF students will compete for more than $4 million in scholarships and awards. For information, please visit Regeneron ISEF.
The BSEF is a separate fair and is not affiliated with, nor requires participation in either Regional Science Day or State Science Day. As an affiliated ISEF fair, the BSEF will follow the ISEF rules and form requirements.
Melvin Scholars are selected from the BSEF based upon the quality of their research project.
The 2026 Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair was held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at CAS, 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43202.Â
View photos from previous events
Regeneron ISEF 2026 will take place in Phoenix, AZ from May 9-15, 2026.
2026 Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair
BSEF SCHEDULE FOR
Saturday, March 7, 2026
CAS 2540 Olentangy River Rd.,
Columbus, OH 43202
8:00 am – Registration with Breakfast
8:30 am – Judges Orientation
9:00 am – Judging Assignments passed out
9:00 am – Judging for Round 1 begins
12:15 pm – Lunch & review of Round 1
1:15 pm – Award Ceremony and announcement of Round 2
2:15 pm – Round 2 Qualifier Orientation
2:45 pm – Start of Round 2Â
4:45 pm – ISEF Qualifiers announced
Parking Information and Map
There is no charge for parking.
There are two entrances to the CAS Campus. One is located on W. Dodridge St. and the other is off Olentangy River Rd. Security will be on-site to assist with parking. The BSEF will take place in Building A and can be accessed through the main entrance.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN BSEF
 The 2026 Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair (BSEF) project submission portal for competition will open on Monday, December 8, 2025 and close at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 through the ProjectBoard platform.
Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate.Â
The submission fee is $50.00 per student. This fee is nonrefundable.Â
The 2026 Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at CAS in Columbus.Â
To begin a project or to prepare to submit a project for the 2026 BSEF – students must create or re-activate last years account in ProjectBoard by February 4, 2026. If participating through a classroom educator/facilitator, that person will connect the student with their ProjectBoard class.
If the student is independent (not connected to a classroom educator or afterschool facilitator), please contact the Ohio Academy of Science to get connected with a class facilitator at: info@ohiosci.org
Submitting a BSEF Project
You can browse previous BSEF projects on ProjectBoard (pictured right).
Important Dates
Project Submission Opens: December 8, 2025
Project Submission Closes: 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 4 2026
2026 BSEF Fair – in-person at CAS on Saturday, March 7, 2026
