In 2026, the University of South Carolina Region Science and Engineering Fair is excited
to welcome Region VI (Central Savannah) participants to the University of South Carolina
Region Science and Engineering Fair. Students who live in the following counties are
eligible to participate:
Allendale, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Hampton,
Kershaw, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter.
Students enrolled in public, private or homeschool programs in these counties are
encouraged to prepare a project for the 2025 University of South Carolina Region Science
and Engineering Fair!
Project Registration Instructions
All projects (Elementary, Middle and High School Divisions) must be registered through MySciFair.com. Properly completed Form 1, Form 1A and Form 1B are required for all participants. Form 1A includes the Research Plan, which is required for all projects.
Additional forms may be required depending on the student’s grade level and the specific details of the project.
For Elementary School projects, Form 1, Form 1A and Form 1B may be uploaded to MySciFair or turned in at the check-in table on the day of the Science and Engineering Fair.
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial for registering a project in MySciFair.
How to create your MySciFair.com account
- Use this link: https://myscifair.com/create-an-account?district=1722474628471x784282133792764300 to register for an account for the South Carolina Region 2 Science & Engineering Fair.
- Select from the dropdown menu the role “student” or “teacher”.
- Enter the name of your school (Chapin High School, Brookdale Elementary, Dent Middle, Heathwood Hall Episcopal) and confirm that you are registering for the USC Regional Science Fair in South Carolina.
- Enter your email and password.
- If you have an account from a previous year but have forgotten the password, the Regional Director will need to manually reset your password. Please allow 24–48 hours.
- Some schools and school districts block emails from senders outside of the school system to student accounts. You may want to choose to create your MySciFair.com account using a personal email address.
- Click “I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy,” then click “Sign Up.”
Note: “Parent” accounts in MySciFair.com are not designed as a pathway for project registration.
Applicable to teachers only: Teachers will need to be approved before gaining access to the platform by the Regional Coordinator. This is done manually by the Regional Director. Please allow 24–48 hours.
Project Registration and Fees
- Individual Project: $30
- Group Project (two or three students): $45
Students should confirm with their teacher or mentor whether their school or district will pay the registration fee. If the school is paying, students should not submit payment individually.
If payment is required from the student, fees must be paid online or by check by Friday, February 27, 2026.
- Pay the registration fee online for an individual elementary or middle school project
($1.00 convenience fee included) - Pay the registration fee online for a group elementary or middle school project
($1.50 convenience fee included)
Paper checks should be made payable to the University of South Carolina with “Science Fair” written in the memo line.
Center for Science Ed / SEF
715 Sumter Street
CLS 401 (Biology)
Columbia, SC 29208
Be sure to include the student name(s) and school name with all check payments.
If registration fees are not paid or postmarked by Friday, February 27, 2026, projects may not be eligible for Category, Special or Grand Awards.
- Individual Project: $35
- Group Project (two or three students): $65
Students should confirm with their teacher or mentor whether their school or district will pay the registration fee. If the school is paying, students should not submit payment individually.
If payment is required from the student, fees must be paid online or by check by Friday, February 13, 2026.
- Pay the registration fee online for an individual high school project
($1.50 convenience fee included) - Pay the registration fee online for a group high school project
($2.00 convenience fee included)
Paper checks should be made payable to the University of South Carolina with “Science Fair” written in the memo line.
Center for Science Ed / SEF
715 Sumter Street
CLS 401 (Biology)
Columbia, SC 29208
Be sure to include the student name(s) and school name with all check payments.
If registration fees are not paid or postmarked by Friday, February 13, 2026, projects may not be eligible for consideration as Category, Special or Grand Award winners.
Rules and Participation Handbook
Grade Levels: 4th and 5th Grade Students
Competition: Monday, March 16, 2026 at the Pastides Alumni Center, Columbia, SC. Check-in table will open at 8:00 am. Judging will start at 9:00 am.
Awards Ceremony: 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Jones 210 on USC’s campus in the science complex. All students who participate in the Elementary School Science and Engineering Fair will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony.
Planned Registration Window: December 15, 2025 to February 27, 2026 using MySciFair.
2026 Rules and Participation Handbook Elementary Grades (4th – 5th Grades) Competition [pdf]
Grade Levels: 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students
Competition: Monday, March 16, 2026 at the Pastides Alumni Center, Columbia, SC. The check-in table will open at 12:00 pm. Judging will start at 1:00 pm.
Awards Ceremony: 2:45 pm on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Jones 210 on USC’s campus in the science complex. All students who advance to Round 2 of the Middle School Science and Engineering Fair will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony.
Planned Registration Window: December 15, 2025 to February 27, 2026 using MySciFair.
2026 Rules and Participation Handbook Middle School (6th – 8th Grades) Competition [pdf]
Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade Students
Competition: Monday, March 9, 2026 at the Pastides Alumni Center, Columbia, SC. The check-in table will open at 8:00 am and judging will begin at 9:00 am.
Awards Ceremony: 4:30 pm Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Jones 210 on USC’s campus in the science complex. All students who advance to Round 2 of the High School Science and Engineering Fair will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony.
Planned Registration Window: December 15, 2025 to February 9, 2025 using MySciFair.
2026 Rules and Participation Handbook High School (9th – 12th Grades) Competition [pdf]
👉 Virtual Sessions, Resources & FAQs
2025 Winners
- 2025 University of South Carolina Region Science and Engineering Fair Elementary School Division Placings [pdf]
- 2025 University of South Carolina Region Science and Engineering Fair Middle School Division Award Booklet [pdf]
- 2025 University of South Carolina Region Science and Engineering Fair High School
Division
Award Booklet [pdf]
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