SARSEF Programs

SARSEF Programs includes the SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Racing the Sun, PRISM, ACES Camp, Summer STEM Camps, GALS Arizona, SARSEF Science Ambassadors, Arizona STEM Adventure™, Notice and Wonder, Cultivating Curiosity, Fair Director Conferences, and SARSEF Endorsed School. Activities include science and engineering competition, solar-powered go-kart design, build, and racing, scientific research mentorship, STEM camps, outdoor field research, community-based ambassador work, workshops, and educator professional development.

Programs

• SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair — PreK-12 · Competition; culminates in March; provides students the opportunity to win over $100,000 in scholarships, trips, and prizes.
• Racing the Sun — Grades 9-12 · Fall-Spring; throughout the school year · Competition; students design, build, and race solar-powered go-karts with mentors and advisors.
• PRISM — Grades 11-12 · Fall · Research experience; mentorship program for scientific research.
• ACES Camp — Grades 6-8 · July · Camp for middle school girls from Sunnyside Unified School District.
• Summer STEM Camps — Grades 4-8 · Summer · In-person across Tucson; hands-on STEM activities and exploration of STEM careers.
• GALS Arizona — Grades 9-12 · Fall · Overnight camp for girls focused on outdoor field research, place-based science, and leadership learning.
• SARSEF Science Ambassadors — Age 16+ · Fall-Spring · Hands-on learning in the community; ambassadors represent SARSEF.
• Arizona STEM Adventure™ — Grades 4-8 · Fall · Students and educators explore STEM while teachers receive professional development.
• Notice and Wonder — PreK-12 · Year-round; in-person throughout Southern Arizona · In-school and out-of-school workshops tailored to needs.
• Cultivating Curiosity — Educators · Year-round · Educator professional development.
• Fair Director Conferences — Educators · Fall · One-day conference for fair directors, educators, and administrators.
• SARSEF Endorsed School — PreK-12 · School program with standards to ensure quality and robust STEM education opportunities in Arizona PreK-12 learning communities.

At a glance

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• General schedule: Year-round; fall; summer; July; September-April; Fall-Spring

About the provider

SARSEF’s mission statement is: “Every child. Thinking critically. Solving problems.” In 2024-2025, SARSEF awarded $160,000 in scholarships and awards to students, impacted 35,682 Arizona students, directly served 5,467 students, and reached 3,145 students in outreach programs. Educators travel to schools and community centers throughout the state to provide student outreach, teacher professional development, and family workshops.

Priority for What Do We Wonder is given to educators and classrooms in Title 1 schools. Participation in What Do We Wonder is subject to facilitator bandwidth. SARSEF prioritizes participation of students from Title I schools and rural schools in PRISM. SARSEF focuses on engaging student populations underrepresented in STEM and prioritizes low- to no-cost opportunities for students in schools with higher percentages of low-income families.

What families say

“After every session, students would ask when SARSEF is coming back. They really enjoyed the program because it is different from what they do, and they become creative.” — Teachers

Last updated September 2, 2026.