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. Racing the Sun is a hands-on engineering program where students design, build, and race solar-powered go-karts, and PRISM matches two students with one mentor for scientific research.

Programs

• SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair — PreK-12 · Competition held throughout Southern Arizona; culminates in March.
• Racing the Sun — 9-12 · Fall-Spring · Hands-on engineering program for high school students to design, build, and race solar-powered go-karts.
• PRISM — 11-12 · Fall · Mentorship program matching two students and one mentor for scientific research.
• ACES Camp — 6-8 · July · Summer camp for middle school girls from Sunnyside Unified School District.
• Summer STEM Camps — 4-8 · Summer · Week-long STEM-themed day camps hosted across Tucson.
• GALS Arizona — 9-12 · Fall · Fall overnight camp for high school girls focused on field research, place-based science, and leadership learning.
• SARSEF Science Ambassadors — 16-19 · Fall-Spring · Hands-on learning in the community; ambassadors represent SARSEF.
• Arizona STEM Adventure™ — 4-8 · Fall · Students and educators explore STEM while teachers receive professional development.
• Notice and Wonder — PreK-12 · Year-round · In-school and out-of-school workshops tailored to needs; available in person throughout Southern Arizona.
• Cultivating Curiosity — Year-round · Educator professional development in person and virtually.
• Fair Director Conferences — Fall · One-day conference for educators and administrators.
• SARSEF Endorsed School — PreK-12 · School program with standards aimed at ensuring quality and robust STEM education opportunities.

At a glance

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Current session: Racing the Sun 2026-2027 Season (Aug 13–Apr 24, 2027)
• General schedule: Year-round; Fall-Spring; Fall; Summer; July; preK-12; grades 4-12; grades 6-8; grades 9-12; grades 11-12

About the provider

SARSEF's mission is creating Arizona's future critical thinkers and problem solvers through science and engineering. In 2024-2025, SARSEF reported $160,000 in scholarships and awards to students, 35,682 Arizona students impacted, and 5,467 students directly participated. Students, teachers, administrators, caregivers, community members, mentors, exhibitors, volunteers, and judges are involved in SARSEF programs.

Priority is given to educators and classrooms in Title 1 schools for What Do We Wonder. Participation in that program is subject to facilitator bandwidth. 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.

Last updated September 2, 2026.