SARSEF

09/17/2026

September Science of Kindness with Ben's Bells and SARSEF!

Ben's Bells’ programming is grounded in the science of kindness and research that shows how practicing kindness strengthens individuals, relationships, and communities. Those same principles of curiosity, observation, and evidence are at the heart of science education supported by SARSEF.

Students of all grade levels from across Arizona create inquiry projects centered around kindness and how being kind can change the world. Check out this month's spotlighted project: Kindness on Purpose, We Choose Kindness by PreK students with teacher Erin Wilson! View the full project at https://virtualfair.sarsef.org/2026/kindness-on-purpose-we-choose-kindness/"

09/16/2026

Looking for a way to get involved this fall? SARSEF relies on community volunteers for events such as AZ STEM Adventure and the SARSEF Fair. We have a full listing on our website with volunteer and mentor opportunities for 2026 - 2027.

Head to our website and check it out!

Image description: Screenshot of SARSEF website homepage with an orange circle around the "Volunteer" tab and an orange arrow pointing to the circle. Text with information about volunteering opportunities is below the screenshot.

09/15/2026

Meet Lindsey, SARSEF's What Do We Wonder Contractor! Lindsey will be facilitating our What Do We Wonder program, where they will be visiting classrooms across Southern Arizona to bring hands-on STEM learning to students.

“SARSEF is professional development for teachers that they can actually implement.”

Learn more about Lindsey by reading our blog: https://sarsef.org/introducing-sarsefs-what-do-we-wonder-contractor-lindsey-stone/

Image description: Graphic introducing Lindsey Stone, SARSEF's What Do We Wonder contractor.

Note: This post has been updated to correct a misspelling of Lindsey's name.

09/15/2026

We had a blast in Yuma last weekend! Check it out!

09/15/2026

Reminder: GALS applications are almost closed! If you or a high school girl you know is interested in exploring science with other women and girls, doing your own field research project, and being outdoors, apply to GALS!

Camp week is October 10 - 15, 2026.

Apply here: https://sarsef.org/programs/immersed-in-stem/gals-arizona/

Image description: background image of a group of women and girls outdoors doing an activity. Overlaying the image is the GALS logo in the center, and details about applications and camp week in text below.

09/14/2026

Join YES! Fair and SARSEF in Sierra Vista, AZ for a Science Fair Director and Teacher Conference on September 30th!

This session will be held at Cochise College, Room BUS-720, 901 Colombo Ave, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 on September 30th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.

Any PK-12 educators, administrators, or science fair directors wanting to learn how to build authentic, inquiry-led cross-disciplinary STEM research opportunities for students are welcome! Dinner will be served.

Register today at https://shorturl.at/ArE6Z

Image Description: Informational graphic for a Science Fair Director & Teacher Conference in Sierra Vista, AZ on September 30th. Included is a QR code and details about the session.

09/14/2026

Seniors who participated in the SARSEF Fair: this is an excellent opportunity!

Are you a high school senior with a phenomenal scientific research project? If so, here's an opportunity for you!

Applications for the Regeneron Science Talent Search are now open. is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students. Started in 1942, the Science Talent Search recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are developing ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

Out of over 2,000 applicants yearly, only 40 are selected as finalists and invited to Washington, DC for an unforgettable week where they participate in a rigorous judging process, interact with leading scientists, and share their research with the public.

Learn more about Regeneron STS and submit your application by November 5, 2026 at 8pm ET: https://bit.ly/44lfgOF

09/12/2026

Today is National Day of Encouragement!

At SARSEF, we encourage students and their teachers, parents, caretakers, and the community to participate authentically in science and engineering.

We encourage you to learn something new about science and engineering. Share what you learned in the comments!

Image description: (1) Background image of a line of children receiving encouraging high-fives from adults on a stage from the 2026 SARSEF Fair. Over the image is the text: "National Day of Encouragement" and "See how SARSEF encourages young scientists and engineers every day" with the SARSEF logo. (2) Background image of Julie Euber, CEO and a camper from the SARSEF ACES program. Julie is handing a certificate to the camper. Overlaying is the text: "Every student is celebrated for their achievements and ideas, and they get to showcase their ingenuity to their community." (3) Background image of a young boy gently holding a live snake and smiling up to someone off-camera. Overlaying the image is the text: "Students are encouraged to explore what they care about, and investigate real-world problems that matter to them." (4) Background image of a close-up shot of a student wearing a racing helmet sitting in a go-kart. Overlaying the image is the text: "When faced with a problem that needs to be solved or a hard question to answer, students are encouraged to keep thinking and trying with SARSEF."

09/11/2026

VOTE FOR SARSEF! There are only two days left to vote for SARSEF for a Local Causes Grant through the Arizona Financial Foundation

Vote here: https://my.reviewr.com/s2/pitch?subid=11472172&evtid=11410198

How to vote: Paste or type the link in the caption into a browser. Search for SARSEF on the page, and then make a basic account and "Log in to vote." Then, click the thumbs-up icon at the top of the page.

Image Description: Promotional graphic announcing SARSEF as a Local Causes Grant Nominee with details to vote by September 13th.

09/09/2026

Meet the 2026 PRISM Mentors!

Partnership for Research Inspiration in STEM Mentorship, or PRISM, is SARSEF’s high school research mentorship program, where high schoolers work directly with graduate student mentors on a research project of their design.

Throughout the fall semester, students will work with mentors in the lab or remotely to finish a university-level research project. During the program, graduate student mentors will learn about best practices in mentorship and leadership through professional development led by SARSEF and the University of Arizona Research and Partnerships Office of Societal Impact.

Meet the mentors: https://sarsef.org/meet-the-2026-prism-mentor-cohort/

Image description: Stylized graphic with a grid of seven headshots of different people and their names underneath. Under each photo is a short quote about what mentorship means to each person.