About

Every year, hundreds of students in Southeastern Arizona look forward to SSVEC’s Youth Engineering and Science Fair, or simply, the “YES” Fair. This also includes the opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip to the world renowned INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). For over twenty years, the YES Fair has inspired students to think, discover, research and invent. Many of those who have participated have gone on to have successful careers in science, technology and engineering as doctors, teachers, soldiers and farmers. The YES Fair encourages students from Grades 5 thru 12 cultivate their interest in science and engineering, which helps each participant succeed and help build a better America.

Students in grades 5 through 12 in SSVEC’s service area and schools in Bisbee, Douglas, Nogales, and Tombstone, are eligible to compete at the YES Fair. All projects in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 may compete in the category of Energy & Engineering, Technology, Physical Science, Earth & Space Science, and Biological Science. Projects in grades 9 through 12 compete as one division. Projects are to be one of the 14 categories defined by the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Team projects, consisting of up to three students, compete as one of the 14 categories. The YES Fair may send two individual projects to ISEF or one individual and one team project.

The YES Fair presents over $17,000 worth of awards to local students and teachers. These include trips for the Grand Prize winners in the 9-12 division and their advisors to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair this spring, as well as cash prizes in all divisions. Numerous special awards are provided by our affiliation with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. In years past awards have been made by the US Army, US Navy/Marine Corps, US Air Force, Eastman Kodak Company, Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, the Huachuca Audubon Society, Health Partners, American Meteorological Society, U.S. Metric Association, Yale Science and Engineering, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and other generous supporters include partial Cochise College scholarships sponsored by the Cochise College Foundation and cash grants by the University of Arizona South Foundation. SSVEC is continually expanding the awards for the YES Fair.