Special Awards from National, Regional, and Local Organizations

Thank you to our sponsors for the awards, prizes and scholarships

The awards listed are subject to change as more awards and prizes become available.

Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association  ~ Pacific Northwest Chapter
AFCEA brings people together from all demographics worldwide to strengthen global security, provide education and help prepare tomorrow’s cyber and intelligence STEM workforce.  Presented by the AFCEA PNW Chapter students grades 9 – 12 earn the “AFCEA Excellence in Technology” certificate and a monetary award. 

American Chemical Society ~ Puget Sound Section
The ACS, Puget Sound Section is an innovative, talented, productive and motivated group of volunteers who are invested in the advancement of chemistry.  They are presenting a certificate and monetary award to students that promote and support chemistry and its practitioners. 

American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics PNW (AIAA)
The AIAA is the world’s largest professional society devoted to the progress of engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense, with about 35,000 members worldwide.  The Pacific Northwest AIAA is pleased to offer awards for student’s excellence in aviation and space science. 

American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association Education Directorate and Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools will award three ‘Achievement in Research in Psychological Science’ certificates recognizing outstanding research in psychology from the category of behavioral and social sciences.

Animal Sciences Research
Certificate and monetary awards are presented to one student each in grades 7-8 and 9-12 for projects showing innovative research in the animal sciences.  Included in this broad field are topics ranging from animal ecology to animal behavior and communication.

Association for Women Geoscientists
The National Association for Women Geoscientists will award three ‘Student Award for Geosciences Excellence’ a certificate and one-year honorary membership to students whose project exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of the geosciences or promoting the sensitivity to the earth as a global system.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)
BPA presents a certificate and monetary award to for the most outstanding project relating to improving energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, development of renewable energy sources or advancements in power production technology.  BPA encourages young people to pursue careers in engineering and science.

Bremerton Central Lions Club
Chartered with 20 original members, the Bremerton Central Lions Club has met continuously in service for more than 87 years. They were integral in the first White Cane Days supporting the Northwest Lions Eye Bank. Recently renamed Sight Life, it is one of the largest eye banks in the country.  Through the Club Foundation they are awarding two grade 9 – 12 grade projects best related to sight or hearing a $2,000 scholarship directly to the college or university of their choice upon enrollment and acceptance. 

Broadcom Foundation
The Broadcom Foundation Coding with Commitment rewards the student who applies basic coding or computational thinking to solve a community problem.  Because most problems align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, the student is rewarded for thinking globally and acting locally.  The student receives a Raspberry PI PICO and monetary award.

Cascadia Institute of Food Technologists
The Cascadia Institute of Food Technologists assists the local food community.  Three grade 1 – 8 and three grade 9 – 12 selected projects involve creating great food products, ensuring food safety and promoting the advancement of food science.  Each award includes a certificate and a dinner invitation for May Student Night.

Central Valley Garden Club
The Central Valley Garden Club presents 14 awards in grades 1 – 6 consisting of a monetary award and certificate to encourage young people to gain knowledge and find new interest in plants and their environment. 

City of Bremerton ~ Mayor’s Challenge
Mayor Greg Wheeler presents two Mayor’s Challenge awards for projects offering solutions to municipality issues throughout the State of Washington. One award each in Grades 1 – 8 and Grades 9 – 12 consist of a City of Bremerton certificate and monetary award.

Conservation College ~ Wolf Camp
The mission of Conservation College is to inspire a global conservation ethic by connecting people to nature through outdoor education. The award presented in Grades 1 – 6 consists of a certificate and monetary award. In Grades 7 – 8, the award includes a certificate, monetary award and one-week campership at Conservation College Wolf Camp.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
ERAU, the world’s leader in Aviation and Aerospace Education, now housing the nation’s first College of Security and Intelligence — is proud to present the Embry-Riddle Launch Scholarship for recognition of projects that display excellence in the fields of aviation, aerospace, and security and intelligence.  Each student receives a renewable scholarship for $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000, redeemable at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ.

Environmental Science Research
Certificate and monetary awards are presented to one student each in grades 1 – 6, 7 – 8 and 9 – 12 for projects that show extensive environmental research in topics ranging from climate science to land reclamation and ecosystem structure.

Excellence in Chemical Sciences
Two students earn a certificate, monetary award and Theodore Gray’s book “Reactions”. The award is for the best project presenting originality and scientific validity that exhibits outstanding achievement in the discipline of chemistry.

GENIUS Olympiad
The GENIUS Olympiad International Project Fair on the Environment is a 5-day international high school project competition focusing on environmental issues held in Rochester, New York. Up to six students and their supervisor self-register to attend the event. To enhance this awarded trip, WSSEF reimburses the selected students for their $50 application fee.

Graphic Design
Awards are presented to those projects with display boards exhibiting visual impact in the use of photographs, color, text and overall design.  A certificate and monetary award are presented to one project each from grades 1-6, 7-8 and 9-12.

Health & Fitness
An award in grades 1 – 6 and 7 – 8 to students with a passion for promoting health and fitness through project design or displaying a mastery of health or fitness concepts. Each student receives a certificate, medallion and monetary award.

Henrietta Lacks
Three monetary awards are given in honor of Henrietta Lacks, an African woman, whose unheralded contribution to science continues to be of significant importance. When Henrietta went to Johns Hopkins for cervical cancer treatment in 1951, her cancer cells were grown in the laboratory without her knowledge or consent. This was the first time that human cells could be cultured and grown. Known as the HeLa cells, these immortal cells now populate every major research laboratory in the world.

The Lemelson Foundation
The “Lemelson Early Inventor Prize” is a certificate and monetary award. The best project in grades 6, 7 or 8 must identify and solve a critical problem by applying STEM knowledge to develop an invention solving the problem that ideally exemplifies environmentally responsible thinking in their research and product creation.

Margaret I. Lugg Young Explorers Awards
This award is presented to eight projects in Grades 1-8 for presenters who show enthusiasm and excitement for their project.  A certificate and monetary award are presented for each project. 

Robert M. Lugg M.D. Exceptional Merit Award for Medicine and Health Sciences
A certificate and monetary award are presented to the best project in medicine and health sciences. The award honors the memory of Robert M. Lugg, M.D. who dedicated his life to working with young people as a pediatrician.  Dr. Lugg was a past WSSEF judge and sponsor.

Marine Sciences Outstanding Research
One student each in grades 7-8 and grades 9-12 will receive a certificate and monetary award in recognition of outstanding research in the dynamic field of marine sciences which includes marine biology, physics, seawater chemistry, oceanography, marine geology and marine engineering. 

Medicine & Health
Two awards in grades 1-3 and one award each in Grades 4-6 and 7-8 to students who display a keen interest and desire to understand concepts in the subject matter of medicine and health.  Each student receives a certificate, medallion and monetary award.

Museum of Flight
The “Sights of Flight” awards are a certificate and Museum of Flight entry.  As the largest private air and space museum in the world, the Museum of Flight also hosts large educational programs.  Grade 1 – 12 projects selected are those engaged in research involving flight or flying machines. 

NASA Langely Research Center
Three projects are awarded the NASA Earth System Science Certificate. Selected relevant projects are invited to participate in a NASA Earth System Science Virtual Webinar with a NASA Scientist.   

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration awards three ‘Taking the Pulse of the Planet’ certificates.  The student’s research project emphasizes NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment; conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic coastal and environmental needs.

Navy League of the U.S. – Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Counsel
NLUS-BOPC proudly presents twelve STEM awards to students in grades 1-12 whose projects best contribute to the advancement of science, engineering or technology in support of our nation’s Sea Services, the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The NLUS-BOPC partners with educational, government, commercial and military organizations impacting STEM education nationwide to expand the ranks of those who choose STEM careers.

Norman E Borlaug Excellence in Sustainability Award
This award recognized four projects, one each in Grades 9-12 that focus on sustainable solutions to environmental issues.  The award is named in honor of Norman E. Borlaug who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his lifetime of work to feed a hungry world.  Awards consist of a certificate and gift card.

Office of Naval Research ~ U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps
The Office of Naval Research sponsors science that changes the world including discovering the magnetic core, GPS and smart robots.  They award students demonstrating exceptional work in science and engineering. Awards are a combination of certificates, medallions and gift certificates.

Ohio Wesleyan University
Twenty Outstanding Achievements in Science Scholarships are offered by Ohio Wesleyan University, a national liberal arts and sciences university with a major international presence.  Each scholarship is $20,000 renewable for four years; total value for each scholarship is $80,000.  OWU’s science facilities include the state-of-the-art Schimmel/Conrades Science Center, two observatories, two nature preserves, a greenhouse and a vast science library.  Arts facilities include two stages, 2-D & 3-D art, Richard M. Ross Art Museum and top music facilities.

Olympic College
Olympic College presents STEM awards on behalf of the Mathematics, Engineering, Sciences and Health (MESH) Division.  OC and the MESH Department are committed to excellence in teaching student’s ways to integrate theory, experience and application by recognizing outstanding STEM projects in grades 9 – 12.  Students receive a certificate and monetary award.

Origami Math & Science
The Origami Math and Science awards recognize projects in grades 1-6 which demonstrate the excitement of finding mathematics and science in unexpected places.  Students receive a certificate and monetary award. 

Plant Sciences Achievement Award
A certificate and monetary award are presented to one student each in grades 7-8 and 9-12 who show curiosity and creativity in working with plants.  Topics may include studies in the areas of ecology, agronomy, bioremediation and reclamation. 

Regeneron
The Regeneron Biomedical Science Award consists of a certificate and monetary award.  The project demonstrates an impressive command of biomedical science and research articulating thoughtful questions and innovation.

Ricoh Americas Corporation
The ‘Sustainable Development Award’ recognizes three projects demonstrating outstanding efforts addressing environmental responsibility and sustainable development.  Selected projects incorporate principles and technical innovations which offer the greatest potential for increasing our ability to grow environmentally friendly and socially responsible businesses.

Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society
Founded in 1886 as an international honor society of research scientists and engineers, the Sigma Xi awards two students a certificate and monetary award.  Sigma Xi multi-disciplinary members are elected for their research achievements and more than 200 members have won the Nobel Prizes.

Society for In Vitro Biology
The ‘Outstanding Achievement for Ability and Creativity’ awards for three outstanding 11th grade students in the areas of plant or animal in vitro tissue culture studies. The students receive a letter of congratulations and publicity of their achievement included in the society’s newsletter or on their website.

SPEEA IFPTE Local 2001 
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, IFPTE Local 2001, is a professional labor union representing more than 24,000 engineers, technical workers and other professionals in the aerospace industry.  SPEEA IFPTE Local 2001 presents its ‘Excellence in Engineering’ certificate and monetary award to one project in grades 9-12. 

St. Michael’s Medical Center
Two students in Grades 9-12 receive a certificate and monetary award for project excellence that applies engineering and scientific principles to medicine and biology for healthcare.

Statistical Thinking 
Projects that show excellence in statistical thinking, including design of data collection methods, graphing and data analysis, statistical inference and/or statistical theory. Two students receive a certificate with first place receiving a monetary award.

Thermo Fisher Scientific
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge is a premier STEM national competition for grades 6-8.  WSSEF nominees are eligible to register to compete nationally for valuable prizes and awards including a trip to Washington DC for the finalist student and parent.

Thermo Fisher Scientific
The “Advancing Equity Through Innovation” award is presented to grade 6 – 8 projects that strive to make our world healthier, cleaner and safer.  The students receive a certificate and monetary award. 

Universal Quality Control (UQC)
UQC is a legendary service organization who is recognizing one student in grades 9-12 as an outstanding experimentalist in the physical sciences or engineering.  The student receives a certificate and the ‘CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics’.

U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force is proud to recognize the top students questing for excellence in the science and engineering fields that exemplify the scientific process ideally aerospace related, but projects in math or science field are also acceptable. The award recipients receive a certificate and a Victory sport bag with electronics.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The USAID is an independent agency of the United States federal government primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.  The project best representing these goals receives a certificate and a webinar with a USAID Chief Scientist.   

U. S. Army ~ Recruiting Battalion
Five awards focusing on the physical sciences, biomedical sciences, engineering / mathematics / computer sciences and life sciences that best emphasize specialized skills, analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.  The U.S. Army encourages these particular aptitudes in our youth and their innovative STEM projects.

U.S. Metric Association
The U.S. Metric Association awards three certificates and one-year membership to the students whose project involves a significant amount of quantitative measurement and which best uses the SI metric system for those measurements.

Washington State University – College of Arts and Sciences
The Washington State University College of Arts and Sciences offers academic programs in social and natural sciences, mathematics, humanities and performing arts.  Students learn to communicate effectively, build or increase their cultural literacy and develop analytical and critical thinking skills that will fortify their careers and prepare them to be successful global citizens.  WSU College of Arts and Sciences is proud to present two $3,000 renewable ($24,000 total) scholarships emphasizing interdisciplinary research.

Washington State University – Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture at WSU is committed to creating a sustainable future, offering you the best undergraduate and graduate experience and immersing you in a world-class research environment that offers opportunity for doing hands-on work on real projects.  Two $2,000 scholarships are awarded for engineering and/or computer science proficiencies. 

Washington State Dental Association
The Washington State Dental Association presents three awards in grades 1-6, 7-8 and 9-12 consisting of a certificate and invitation to present their projects at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference.  The award is for excellence in oral health and the science of dentistry via basic science research or demonstrating the relationship between good oral health and overall health.

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair Science Teacher of the Year
The Washington State Science & Engineering Fair is proud to present this award to an outstanding science or engineering teacher.  The WSSEF award consists of a traveling school trophy, commemorative personal trophy and a monetary award.  Lab-Aids Proven Education Programs provides classroom science kits.  Thermo Fisher Scientific congratulates the WSSEF Science Teacher of the Year by donating an EVOS™ Imaging System to their school.

Water Purveyors Assoication of Kitsap (WaterPAK)
The mission of WaterPAK is to promote an understanding of the importance of protecting the quality of our limited drinking water supply and conserving it for today and future generations.  One award each will be presented in grades 1-8 and grades 9-12 consisting of a trophy, certificate and monetary award. 

Whitman College
As one of the nation’s premier liberal arts colleges, Whitman College located in Walla Walla is in an ideal location for intellectual reflection and contemplation.  Whitman College is a vibrant, close-knit, residential community where – from academics to athletics and dynamic student clubs – people collaborate, support and connect with one another in powerful ways.  Whitman College is presenting two $2,500 scholarships renewable ($20,000 total) scholarships.

Yale Science & Engineering Association
The Yale Science & Engineering Association (YSEA) awards a certificate and medallion to the most outstanding 11th grade student exhibiting in the general areas of Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Chemistry. 

The awards listed are subject to change as more awards and prizes become available.