UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) will welcome hundreds of young scientists, educators, and families to campus as it hosts two regional Science and Engineering Fairs in partnership with the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) and, for the first time, the Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD).

Bringing together elementary, middle, and high school students, these events reflect CNAS’s ongoing commitment to serving as a local partner that encourages curiosity, celebrates student achievement, and supports science education at every stage of the academic journey. By inviting students and their families onto campus, CNAS aims to help young learners see themselves as future scientists and engineers—and to imagine a pathway from their classrooms to a university environment.

Returning to Campus: RUSD Science and Engineering Fair

CNAS is pleased to once again host the Riverside Unified School District’s Annual Science and Engineering Fair on Tuesday, January 27, in the Highlander Union Building (HUB 302). From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., elementary, middle, and high school students from across RUSD will present original science and engineering projects, showcasing creativity, inquiry, and problem-solving skills developed throughout their K–12 education.

Projects at both science fairs will be evaluated by members of the UCR CNAS community, with CNAS faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students serving as judges. Their participation reflects CNAS’s deep investment in mentoring young scientists and building meaningful connections between K–12 students and the university.

Following lunch at 1 p.m., RUSD students will participate in the CNAS Experience from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., a program designed to introduce them to life at a university and the many academic pathways into the sciences. The experience will include a welcome from CNAS Student Academic Affairs Dean Stephanie Dingwall, a student panel featuring CNAS Science Ambassadors, hands-on science demonstrations, and a guided tour of campus. Together, these activities are designed to make the university experience accessible and inspiring for students at all grade levels.

Later that evening, CNAS will host a Science Fair Showcase from 5 to 7 p.m., opening the fair to families, friends, and community members for a public viewing of student projects. The showcase offers an opportunity for families—many of whom may be visiting a university campus for the first time—to engage with student research, celebrate achievement, and begin envisioning higher education as part of their children’s future.

A First for CNAS: Welcoming Val Verde Unified School District

CNAS is also proud to welcome the Val Verde Unified School District to campus for the first time on Friday, January 23, at UCR’s Student Success Center. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., elementary, middle, and high school students from Val Verde USD will present their science and engineering projects, marking an important step in expanding CNAS’s partnerships with regional school districts.

As with the RUSD fair, projects will be judged by CNAS faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students, offering Val Verde students direct interaction with members of the university’s scientific community.

After lunch at noon, students will take part in the CNAS Experience from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., which will include a welcome from Dean Stephanie Dingwall and a student panel with CNAS Science Ambassadors. Through conversations with current UCR students and exposure to campus spaces, participants will gain insight into what it means to study science at a research university and how their interests can grow over time.

Celebrating Achievement: Awards Ceremonies

Both districts will return to UCR on Friday, January 30, for their respective awards ceremonies, celebrating student achievement and recognizing outstanding science and engineering projects across all grade levels. Awards will be presented by UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences and its academic departments, underscoring CNAS’s role in supporting and encouraging young scholars from elementary school through high school.

The RUSD Awards Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. in the University Theater, bringing together students, families, educators, and members of the UCR community to honor student achievement.

The Val Verde Unified School District Awards Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. in the Student Success Center. In addition to the ceremony, student science and engineering projects will be on display for parents, families, and community members to view, creating a celebratory and welcoming space to engage with student research and innovation.

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