About the Youth Engineering & Science Fair
The Program
We believe in the power of science to help kids understand their world and help solve today's problems. Literally everything around is encompassed in science, technology, and engineering. From tiny items like pens and pencils to the clothes we wear, transportation, home construction, modern food production and delivery, to modern medicines - nothing is created, packaged, or delivered without science, tech, or engineering.
We hope you are as excited about the YES Fair as we are!
DATES of YES Fair 2026
February 23 - 27, 2026
PROJECT CHECK-IN @ our New Location 4251 Enterprise Way, Sierra Vista
Monday Feb. 23 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday Feb. 24 from 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
NEW LOCATION for all Events
4251 Enterprise Way, Sierra Vista AZ
CONTACT
About YES Fair
Every year, hundreds of students in Southeastern Arizona look forward to YES Fair. It is the only regional science fair affiliated with ISEF (International Science & Engineering Fair) south of Tucson. This affiliation gives our rural youth the opportunity to compete at the regional, national, and international levels, as well as offers many more chances to win prizes sponsored by local businesses, regional partners, and ISEF affiliated sponsors.
In addition to all the awards in each division, up to six Grand Prize winners (and their mentors) from the High School Division are sponsored on an expenses-paid trip to ISEF.
Frequently Asked questions about YES Fair
Who Can Compete?
What Categories are Available to Compete In?
What Categories are Available to Compete In?
Students in grades 5 through 12 in SSVEC's service area are invited to compete. In addition, students in Bisbee, Douglas, Nogales, and Tombstone are also eligible to compete at YES Fair.
What Categories are Available to Compete In?
What Categories are Available to Compete In?
What Categories are Available to Compete In?
Grades 5-8 may compete in one of the six categories listed below.
Grades 9-12 compete as one division, registering for a specific type of project as listed below. Projects in the HS Division should fit into one the 14 categories defined by the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)
What Awards are Available?
What Categories are Available to Compete In?
What Awards are Available?
The YES Fair presents over $30K in prizes and awards to local students and their teachers.
Regional awards are provided through our affiliation with ISEF.
Community Awards are provided by local businesses and community support.
YES Fair Awards are provided by the SSVEC Foundation.
YES Fair Categories
EARTH & SPACE
HUMAN BIOLOGY & HEALTH
PLANTS & ANIMALS
Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy, Climatology, Seismology, Mineralogy, Volcanology
PLANTS & ANIMALS
HUMAN BIOLOGY & HEALTH
PLANTS & ANIMALS
Ecology & Ecosystems, Botany, Agriculture, Plant Genetics, Biology, Horticulture, Plant Physiology, Animal Biology & Physiology, Animal Science, Animal Husbandry, Selective Breeding, Veterinary Science
HUMAN BIOLOGY & HEALTH
HUMAN BIOLOGY & HEALTH
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Nutrition & Food, Human Biology, Human Behavior & Psychology, Human Genetics
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Math, Engineering, Robotics, Computer Sciences, Circuitry, Material Sciences
CHEMISTRY
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
CHEMISTRY
All types of Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry
ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
CHEMISTRY
Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Physics
