This year we celebrate 43 years of the Northwest Science Expo. Since it began in 1984, we have served more than 20,000 students.

• Since 2010 females have outnumbered males at NWSE, ranging from 51-54% of participants.
• In 2010 Kevin and Yale each won the Young Scientist Award at ISEF, in 2022 Rishab won it.
• Since its creation in 2003, the 727 Team Oregon students have won over $4 million in prizes at ISEF.
• NWSE has given away over 7500 awards in the past 20 years ranging from ribbons to scholarships.
• In 2008, the budget for NWSE was $115K which included an assistant fair director.

I want to share an important update regarding the Northwest Science Expo. As you know, budgets have tightened across the state and NWSE lost a major source of funding this year. In order to keep the fair accessible and meaningful for students, we are launching a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $25,000.

We want to be transparent about what different fundraising milestones will mean for the fair:

• $10,000 raised → The fair will be held virtually, including online student interviews and a virtual award ceremony.
• $15,000 raised → The fair will be held in person at a local high school.
• $25,000 raised → In addition to hosting the fair in person, we will be able to send an additional project either from NWSE in 2026 or from GBSE in 2027 to ISEF.

The campaign will run through the PSU Foundation’s online platform, which makes it easy for individuals and organizations to donate directly. We’ll be reaching out to alumni, judges, and the broader STEM community, but we also know that your regional networks are incredibly powerful. Your help in amplifying this message will be vital.

Please note, NWSE Date Change: The fair date has also changed. Whether it is in-person or virtual, the fair will now take place on Monday, April 6, 2026 (instead of April 3). Unfortunately, the space we previously used at Portland State University is not available or affordable this year, which required us to adjust both the format and the date.

Thank you for everything you do to support your students and the NWSE community. We’re in this together, and I’m confident that with your partnership, we can reach our goal.

2026 Budget estimates for Virtual fair

Director salary (12 months)	$34,000
ISEF affiliation & travel for NWSE	$15,250
Regional Fairs affiliation & travel	$14,100
Supplies & fees (supplies becomes postage)	$5,390
Judge meals	$4,000
PSU Facility rentals	$8,000
Team OR shirts, pins	$1000

If you belong to a group who would consider becoming a sponsor, I am available to give presentations about NWSE and its importance to our students. All donations are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor the PSU Foundation.

We also have title sponsorships available for both NWSE and the fair system. Title sponsorship is $50,000.

Thank you,

Stephanie Jones

NWSE Fair Director and 1992 alum of NWSE

Please Donate Today using the QR code or button. Please visit the Sponsorship page for other options. To give between October 27-November 21 please use this Grow the Green Link.