Longs Peak Science Fair

Since 1970, the Longs Peak Science and Engineering Fair (LPSEF) has hosted Weld, Larimer, and Jackson counties' 5th-12th-grade students each February. Engineers, scientists, educators, and college students devote their time to judging student projects and determining those that qualify for state-level competition.

Donate to LPSEF!

For donation information, click on the following link and be sure to select "Other" from the drop down menu and note LPSEF.

Registration & Fee Information

Important Notice: All projects requiring critical forms must receive prior approval from either your local school Scientific Review Committee (SRC) or the LPSEF SRC before any research activities begin. 

  • Students may not begin projects that require critical forms without approval.
  • Any project conducted without prior approval will be disqualified from competition.
  • To determine whether your project requires critical forms, consult the Rules Wizard 

Follow the steps below! 

1. Complete one set of forms for each project (only one submission is needed per group). Please review the deadlines for both critical and non-critical forms (see details to the right). 

    • Once the forms for your project are complete, email them to LPSEF@unco.edu and be sure to include the following information:
    • Student name (or student names for group – up to 3)
    • School
    • Teacher Name (if working with a teacher group)
    • Title of Project
    • Science Fair Category 

*Teachers: you can send in multiple form packets at once, just be sure that each student follows the steps below

 

The following steps must be completed individually by every student, even if you are part of a group project: 

2. Read and review the LPSEF Participant Guide before registering. 

3. Use the link below to complete your registration and sign the required waivers. *Registration is required for each student & both the student and a parent/guardian must sign waivers – due January 5, 2026! 

  • Please be prepared for registration by having the following information ready: 
    • Contact information
    • School information
    • Parent/Guardian contact information
    • If you are completing your project with a teacher or class, please have your teacher’s/class name and email address
    • Your group members’ names (if working in a small group)
    • The project title
    • Your Science Fair Category – see categories on the Forms & Rules page
    • Student food allergies 

4. Pay registration fees for each student. Registration fees are $35.00 per participant. This fee covers lunch for the student and event costs. You can pay using the link below. If you are registering a group, you may pay for multiple participants at once—see instructions in the e-store. – due January 5, 2026! 

 

Participant Guide

Fair Schedule Information

Please note: Registration and payment are due by January 5, 2026. (Form deadlines may differ—see details below.) Students who do not complete registration, payment, or turn in their forms by the deadlines will not be able to participate in LPSEF.

*Critical Forms are due to LPSEF before you start your project! 

December 1: Forms Due for Projects with Critical Forms 

Early December: Revisions by LPSEF returned to students for edits

January 5: All revisions due back to LPSEF 

February 12: Competition Day 

Non-Critical Forms

January 5: Forms Due for Projects without Critical Forms 

Mid-January: Revisions by LPSEF returned to students for edits 

February 2: All revisions due back to LPSEF 

February 12: Competition Day 

Before You Start Your Project:

  • DO get all critical forms signed and approved by your school SRC or the LPSEF SRC.
  • DON’T start your project until you have approval.
  • If you skip this step, your project will be disqualified from the fair.

Questions about forms and rules?

Be a Judge or Volunteer

LPSEF would not be possible without the many volunteers that help us to make our fair great! We are looking for volunteers and judges for LPSEF, see description below. If you are able, we would love to have you – please sign up at the link below!

Being a LPSEF Judge

PSEF Judges volunteer their time, enthusiasm, and expertise to help our student researchers get the most out of their fair experience. Anyone with a high school degree or above and a love for all things STEM is encouraged to sign up. Judges engage directly with students and their projects; asking questions, guiding discussions, and ultimately selecting the winners of the fair. Year over year, students report that the #1 reason they participate is the opportunity to meet and receive feedback from real live STEM professionals.

 

*If you are a family member or teacher of a participant, we kindly ask that you are not a judge. However, we would love for your to volunteer (please see below)! 

Student explaining their science project on the effects of Essential Oils

Being a LPSEF Volunteer

LPSEF needs volunteers to help with many tasks throughout the fair! From helping with set-up and breakdown, running judges’ sheets to score keepers, and assisting with registration and poster set-up, there are many opportunities for you to volunteer! Anyone that would like to be a helpful hand during the fair is encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer! 

Photo of large crowd