named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
LISEF Fair – ISEF Affiliated
Senior-level science fair for high school students on Long Island, serving as a qualifying event for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
LISEF Junior Varsity Fair
Intermediate-level science fair for high school students preparing for full ISEF qualification, supporting schools in building research programs
Professional Development for Teachers
Offers training and resources for science educators on Long Island to support student research, including safety and ethics guidance
Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Oversight
Provides ethical and safety review of student research projects to ensure compliance with ISEF rules and federal regulations
Thermo Fisher JIC Middle School Fair
Science fair for middle school students on Long Island, introducing younger students to scientific research and competition
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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STEM Competition and Robotics Programs 6 activities
- Manage volunteer judging program for science fairsRecruits and organizes a volunteer judging program open to professionals with scientific or engineering expertise, including PhD holders and retirees; assigns judges to project categories based on expertise and provides scoring rubrics and guidelines for both virtual and in-person judging rounds.
- Operate Junior Varsity (JV) Science Fair for middle and early high school studentsRuns the Junior Varsity (JV) Fair, launched in 2011, to provide competition opportunities for students in grades 6–8 and early high school on Long Island. The program expanded from a 2010 proposal fair and includes structured categories, project submissions, and has grown from 27 to 87 projects within two years of formal organization.
- Operate middle school science competition (Discovery Fair and SSP Thermo Fisher Challenge)Hosts the Discovery Fair, launched in 2000, and the LISEF – SSP Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovation Challenge for students in grades 6–8, providing a structured science competition platform to encourage early engagement in scientific research and innovation.
- Organize regional science and engineering fairs for secondary studentsHosts an annual two-day regional science and engineering fair for high school students in grades 9–12 from Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY, where students present research projects in science, engineering, and mathematics for judging; top performers are selected to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The event includes virtual and in-person judging rounds, award ceremonies, and has grown to include hundreds of students and projects annually.
- Provide educational outreach and historical continuity in science competitionsTraces organizational roots to the 1986 Long Island Science Symposium and has expanded programming over time, including increasing participation from 28 to over 500 students and from 4 to 14 competition categories, while maintaining archives of participating schools and evolving programs to meet growing demand.
- Sponsor student participation in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)Finances up to 20 student projects annually to attend and present at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), with a consistent record of award recognition, including 65%–80% of participants winning awards and at least one Best in Category winner typically each year.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Conduct organizational governance and capacity buildingManages organizational operations through monthly board meetings during the academic year, with scheduled elections for board trustees on rotating three-year terms and special meetings as needed to maintain governance and strategic direction.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Administer science competition safety and compliance programsProvides resources and tools to promote safe student research practices, including downloadable self-assessment checklists for Biosafety Levels 1 and 2, hazard evaluation matrices, lab training checklists, standard operating procedures, and 'Lessons Learned' safety bulletins. Ensures compliance with ISEF safety rules for supervised laboratory research.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$200K
Contributions & grants$10K5%
Program service revenue$189K95%
Investment income$170%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$154K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$148K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$147K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +11.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 6
- ALEXIS VANDERGROOT — TRUSTEE
- BRIAN SNYDER — TRUSTEE
- HEATHER HALL — TRUSTEE
- JOYCE HILGEMAN — TRUSTEE
- MARY HENDRICKSON — TRUSTEE
- STEPHANIE FORSBERG — TRUSTEE
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Facebook Network — Uses Facebook to share updates and reconnect alumni with current activities.
- Intel International Science & Engineering Fair Partner — LI Science and Engineering Fair Inc. sponsors student projects to participate in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair.
- International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Partner — Operates as an affiliated fair, selecting finalists to advance to ISEF.
- International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Partner — Partner event to which LISEF sponsors up to 20 student projects annually for international competition.
- International Science and Engineering Fair Network — LI Science and Engineering Fair Inc. is an affiliate of ISEF and follows its ethics and guidelines.
- International Science and Engineering Fair Partner — Coordinates scheduling to accommodate trustee attendance at the International Science and Engineering Fair.
- International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Partner — Advances first-place finalists to the International Science and Engineering Fair, pending final approval.
- Long Island University’s C. W. Post campus Partner — Hosted the Long Island Science Symposium from its inception through 1989.
- SUNY Stony Brook Partner — Hosted the Long Island Science & Engineering Fair starting in 1990.
- Society for Science Network — LISEF aligns its categories and judging structure with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), administered by the Society for Science.
- Society for Science Partner — Provides access to ISEF rules and safety guidelines used by LI Science and Engineering Fair to support student research safety.
- Society for Science and the Public Partner — Collaborates with LI Science and Engineering Fair Inc to administer the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovation Challenge at the regional level.
- Stony Brook University Partner — Collaborates by providing environmental health and safety training materials, assessment tools, and laboratory safety resources for student researchers.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Partner — National sponsor supporting the reorganization and resurgence of the Thermo Fisher JIC Middle School Competition.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Partner — Sponsors the JIC Middle School Fair component of the LI Science and Engineering Fair.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Partner — Supports the Junior Innovation Challenge program in partnership with Society for Science and the Public and LI Science and Engineering Fair Inc.
- science and math teachers Partner — Teachers serve as judges for student projects in the JV Fair.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- ISEF-Aligned Competitive Pathwaymethodology: ise-f-alignmentBy aligning regional fairs with the International Science and Engineering Fair framework, we create a scalable, high-quality research competition pathway because standardized categories and rules enable equitable participation and progression to national levels.
- Inquiry-Based Learning Through Science Fairsmethodology: inquiry-based_learningBy engaging students in hands-on scientific investigation and presentation within a competitive fair structure, we deepen STEM understanding and skill development because active inquiry fosters deeper cognitive engagement and retention.
- Professional Evaluation and Talent Recognitionmethodology: talent_identification_and_recognitionBy exposing students to evaluation by professional scientists through judged interviews and competitive ranking, we inspire academic and career aspirations in STEM because recognition by experts validates student identity as emerging scientists.
- Research Integrity and Ethical Compliance Frameworkmethodology: research_integrityBy requiring adherence to rigorous ethical standards—including scientific honesty, regulatory review, and humane treatment of animals and human participants—we ensure the credibility and safety of student research because structured oversight fosters responsible conduct and public trust in science.
- Stepping-Stone Research Development Modelmethodology: stepping_stone_researchBy providing younger or first-time participants with accessible entry points and structured support, we build long-term engagement in STEM because early positive experiences increase confidence and persistence in scientific pursuits.