Volunteers
Join our dedicated team of volunteers who make OCSEF possible. Your expertise and passion can help shape the future of STEM education in Orange County.
Volunteer Testimonials
Hear from our amazing volunteers about their experiences with OCSEF
"I've helped with the fair for many years because it is a valuable educational experience for students, I enjoy working with the scientists and teachers on our volunteer Board, and each year I am privileged to meet the nicest, brightest, most enthusiastic young people discuss their projects with the judges and compete for awards. I hope that you will consider how you might help support this science fair and I know you will find it as satisfying an experience as I do."
Supporting STEM Education Since 1955
The Orange County Science & Engineering Fair is a non-profit organization run by volunteers who believe in the importance of STEM education to ensure Orange County students have the 21st century skills of critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity to be college and career ready.
Since 1955, we have encouraged and rewarded the excellent scientific work of middle and high school students throughout Orange County. Our Board and committee members organize and conduct the annual Orange County Science and Engineering Fair, develop outreach, mentoring and enrichment programs for students and teachers, and host community events to promote the program.
This would not be possible without the help of many people who volunteer their time, energy, and expertise throughout the year.
Our Impact
Categories
Volunteer opportunities fall into four broad categories, each offering unique ways to contribute to our mission
Fair Operations
Direct support during the annual science fair event
General Operations
Year-round organizational and administrative support
Outreach
Community engagement and educational program support
Communications
Marketing, publicity, and digital presence management
Ways to Get Involved
We have many opportunities to use your knowledge and expertise
Communications
Help craft messaging and coordinate internal and external communications
Scientific Review Committee
Review projects to ensure students stay safe while conducting research
Fundraising / Donor Relations
Assist with securing funding and maintaining relationships with sponsors
IT Coordination
Provide technical support for systems, databases, and digital infrastructure
Operations
Help with day-to-day organizational tasks and fair preparation
Project Judging
Evaluate student projects and provide valuable feedback during the fair
Publicity / Public Relations
Promote OCSEF through media outreach and community engagement
Social Media
Manage social media platforms and create engaging content
Website Design / Maintenance
Maintain and improve our digital presence and user experience
Information for Judges
Essential information for our expert judges to ensure fair and comprehensive project evaluation
Judge Requirements
- • Professional experience in STEM fields
- • Minimum Bachelor's degree or 5 yrs experience in STEM field
- • Commitment to fair and objective evaluation
- • Available for online project review and half day of judging (1pm-6pm)
Judging Process
- 1. Pre-judging orientation and materials review
- 2. Online project evaluation before interviews
- 3. Judging teams interview students as a panel on Zoom
- 4. Collaborative discussions to determine category awards
What to Expect
- • Judges assigned to a judging team
- • Judging criteria and scoresheets provided
- • Support staff available throughout the day
- • Recognition certificate
Interested in Judging?
We're always looking for qualified professionals to serve as judges. Your expertise helps recognize outstanding student research and encourages the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Judge Recruitment: We typically begin recruiting judges in the fall for our spring fair. Priority is given to professionals with relevant expertise who can commit to the full judging process.
Scientific Review Committee (SRC)
Essential information for science & engineering experts who want to join the SRC team
SRC Requirements
- • Professional experience in STEM fields
- • Graduate degree preferred (bachelor's minimum)
- • Desire to evaluate projects for compliance and safety
- • Available to review projects October - February
SRC Process
- • Training with experienced SRC team members
- • Ability to shadow the project review process
- • Online project review and evaluation
- • Collaborative discussions with SRC team
What to Expect
- • Projects assigned based on role (core or ad hoc)
- • Project review guidelines & form provided
- • Support from OCSEF and SRC team
- • Most reviews done in October/early November and late January/early February
Interested in Joining the SRC?
We're always looking for qualified professionals to serve on the SRC team. Your expertise helps OCSEF make sure student projects are conducted safely.
SRC Recruitment: We typically begin recruiting SRC team members in late summer/early fall for our spring fair.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair (OCSEF)! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on volunteers to help make our fair a success. Volunteer opportunities begin in the fall as we prepare for the event. Your time and support make a difference!
Sign Up to Volunteer: Fill out our form to join our volunteer list and we'll be in touch with opportunities that match your interests and skills.