A science fair is an educational competition where students design experiments, conduct research, and present their findings to judges. Homeschoolers can participate through regional fairs, virtual competitions, and co-op events.
What is a Science Fair?
A science fair is an event where students conduct independent scientific research and present their findings, typically on a poster display board. Students choose a topic, formulate a hypothesis, design and run experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions—essentially walking through the scientific method from start to finish. Science fairs originated in New York City in the 1930s and have grown into a global phenomenon, with local school events feeding into regional, state, national, and international competitions. For homeschoolers, they offer a structured way to practice real scientific inquiry while connecting with the broader educational community.
Key Takeaways
- Major competitions include Regeneron ISEF (high school) and Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge (middle school)
- Many regional fairs explicitly welcome homeschool students—check the Society for Science fair finder
- Virtual science fairs have expanded access for homeschoolers regardless of location
- Homeschool co-ops can host qualifying fairs with 10+ projects to send winners to regionals
- Science fairs build research skills, public speaking, and look impressive on college applications
How Homeschoolers Can Participate
The path to science fair participation varies by region. Some fairs, particularly in Texas, allow homeschoolers to register directly without first winning a local competition. Others require going through a homeschool organization's fair first—your group typically needs at least 10 projects to be eligible to advance winners. Virtual fairs like those hosted by Journey Homeschool Academy and Home Science Tools have removed geographic barriers entirely, accepting homeschoolers worldwide. Use the Society for Science's Find-a-Fair tool to locate affiliated fairs in your area.
Major Competitions Open to Homeschoolers
Benefits for Homeschool Students
Beyond the obvious STEM skill development, science fairs teach project management over extended timeframes—something homeschoolers can leverage with their flexible schedules. Students develop public speaking abilities by presenting to judges, learn to handle constructive criticism, and build resilience when experiments don't work the first time (or fifth). For high schoolers, science fair participation distinguishes college applications and prepares students for the poster sessions common in undergraduate research. The community aspect matters too: fairs connect homeschoolers with peers who share their curiosity.
Getting Started
The Bottom Line
Science fairs offer homeschoolers a chance to do real science—asking questions, designing experiments, wrestling with unexpected results, and communicating findings. The flexibility of homeschool schedules actually provides an advantage here, allowing students to dedicate focused time to in-depth investigations that traditional school students might struggle to fit in. Whether you're aiming for ISEF or just want your kids to experience the scientific process firsthand, local and virtual options make participation more accessible than ever.
