Welcome to our Thanksgiving edition of the MSEF Insider.

Our mission to empower young people with a passion for science is more essential than ever.

Science is key to addressing complex global challenges — from climate change to public health — and with your help we are equipping students with the tools to lead and find solutions.

Most importantly, science fair brings people together – as collaborators, as learners, as problem-solvers – connections that we are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Meet Milana...

Milana has now graduated but when in 12th grade Milana was driven to pursue medicine and used her science fair projects to build her skills and experience.

Milana is grateful for the opportunities she’s had and the people she’s met from across Massachusetts.

Meet Andrea...

Andrea is a recent graduate from

Newton South, enthusiastic MSEF

student, and a member of MSEF’s

Student Advisory Committee.

Andrea said that:

“Science fair was transformative.

I learned how to share my research in an engaging way, but more importantly, made some of my closest friends! I'm so grateful

for MSEF because it pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and helped inspire me to see science as a fun, creative process”.

Meet Eli...

Eli is now a senior at Pope Francis Prep and attended ISEF in 2023.

Eli attributes her experience with

MSEF and ISEF to opening up the

world of STEM for her. She also said,

“MSEF has become my community

where I can ask questions and get

any help I need. Most of all, some

of my closest friends are from the

science fair, and I thank MSEF every day that I was able to meet them”

Meet Yaniv...

Yaniv was originally inspired to participate in Science Fair by his physics teacher who encouraged him to try it out. After lots of research and hard work, Yaniv ended up becoming an ISEF delegate in 2023.

Yaniv said:



“In 2023 when I attended ISEF,

I met some good friends who

I still collaborate with to this day

[and] I am hoping to continue to

work on my research in college.

The science fair pushed me to

pursue STEM as a career, and

the judges’ advice allowed me

to improve my project to this day.”

Meet Mrs. Chiarella...

Mrs. Chiarella is a teacher at Billerica Memorial High School. She won the 2024 MSEF High School Teacher Award. She supports science fair students through academic growth, scientific discovery and personal development.



Teachers like Mrs. Chiarella are

the catalyst for lifelong curiosity

and learning.

We are grateful for all the teachers we work with every year.

Science Fair wouldn’t be the same without them.



We are incredibly grateful to The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation for their generous support in helping MSEF expand its outreach and impact in Hampden County and across western Massachusetts.



With this new support, we’re excited to take our efforts further by establishing a dedicated outreach presence in Hampden County. This initiative will allow us to foster deeper relationships, activate new programming, and build a network of local champions to support regional science fair initiatives.

Thank you, The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, for your commitment to advancing STEM education and empowering young scientists in western Massachusetts!

Whether you are a parent, teacher, volunteer, sponsor or community partner, THANK YOU for your belief in the power of STEM education and dedication to inspiring young minds across Massachusetts.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Sarah Thomas

Development Manager

sthomas@scifair.com

A photon checks into a hotel. The bellhop asks if they can help with the luggage...

The photon replies, "I don't have any, I'm traveling light" 

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Advancing science and engineering literacy since 1949, the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) was founded by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, MIT professors, and a group of pioneering K-12 science educators. 

MSEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. EIN (04-2707499)