The History of the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair

The Washington State Science & Engineering Fair (WSSEF) began as the Kitsap County Science Fair in 1957, organized and sponsored by the Bremerton PTA and Olympic College.  The Fair has been held in Bremerton every year since that early beginning.

The Fair was expanded to include Mason and Jefferson counties in the 1970’s.  At that time, engineering was added and the official name was changed to include the new category.

In 1984, the Fair became the Western Washington Science & Engineering Fair and was opened to all students located within that geographical area.  During the decade of the 1980’s, the decision was made to affiliate with the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), now sponsored by Intel, and was expanded to become the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair with students from all over Washington state participating.

Beginning in 1985, each year the top students from the Fair have represented Washington State at the International Science & Engineering Fair, which is held in different large cities around the country.

The Washington State Science & Engineering Fair is a non-profit organization under the jurisdiction of an elected board of directors and is funded solely by contributions and staffed by volunteers.