Purdue University Supports the Next Generation of Scientists at the Lafayette Regional Science and Engineering Fair
02-28-2025
For more than 75 years, Purdue University has played a vital role in fostering young scientific minds through the Lafayette Regional Science and Engineering Fair (LRSEF).
The 2025 fair will take place on Friday, March 7, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Stewart Center, showcasing the research of students in grades five through 12.
More than 300 students from across the region will present projects spanning 16 categories, including biomedical sciences, chemistry, robotics, and environmental sciences. The event serves as a launching pad for students, with top competitors advancing to the state fair—and potentially to the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair.
Encouraging Future Scientists
Cynthia Stauffacher, LRSEF director and longtime Purdue biological sciences faculty member, has witnessed firsthand how the fair transforms students' perspectives on science.
“This experience is about more than just awards,” Stauffacher said. “Students get to share their ideas, problem-solve, and, most importantly, engage with real scientists. The feedback they receive from judges can be life-changing.”
Indeed, one past participant, who went on to win a top international science fair award, credits the event with sparking his passion for research. “He’s now mentoring younger students to follow in his footsteps,” Stauffacher added.
A Call for Judges
With so many young scientists eager to share their discoveries, the fair is in need of judges to evaluate projects and provide encouragement. Judges come from a variety of backgrounds, including Purdue faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals.
“Judging is not about critiquing a thesis project,” Stauffacher explained. “It’s about inspiring curiosity. We want judges to ask engaging questions, help students think critically, and, most of all, make this a positive experience.”
Judges must pass a background check and attend a short training session. Anyone affiliated with Purdue—faculty, staff, postdocs, or students in good standing—is welcome to volunteer.
Sign up to be a judge: Judging Sign-Up Form. The deadline to register is March 4, 2025.
Why It Matters
Beyond the competition, the fair fosters a sense of community among budding scientists. Students often discover that their peers from other schools share similar interests, creating connections that last well beyond the event.
“We’ve seen students who didn’t think they were ‘science people’ gain confidence and pursue STEM careers,” Stauffacher said. “One former participant, who once doubted her aptitude for science, went on to astrophysics and gave a TED Talk on the visualization of black holes.”
By volunteering as a judge, Purdue faculty, staff, and students can help shape the future of science—one conversation at a time.
About the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University
The Department of Biological Sciences is the largest life sciences department at Purdue University. As part of Purdue One Health, we are dedicated to pioneering scientific discoveries and transformative education at the cutting edge of innovation. From molecules to cells, from tissues to organisms, from populations to ecosystems - we bring together multiple perspectives, integrating across biological scales to advance our understanding of life and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at bio.purdue.edu/.
Writer: Alisha Willett, areferda@purdue.edu
Source: Cynthia Stauffacher, cstauffa@purdue.edu