New Orleans Science Fair Celebrates 70 Years of Innovation

Traditional sciences joined by tech-driven fields and machine intelligence as fair sees growing participation

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair is celebrating its 70th year, with over 300 middle and high school students set to present their projects at Tulane University's Lavin-Bernick Center. The fair has evolved over the decades, with new categories reflecting advancements in technology and machine learning joining more traditional scientific fields. Past participants have gone on to great success, including Britton Sanderford with over 80 patents and several companies, and Dylan Bracey, now a Georgia Tech student whose fair projects helped him gain admission.

Why it matters

The New Orleans science fair has provided a platform for young innovators to explore their passions in STEM fields, leading to life-changing opportunities and achievements. As the fair has adapted to incorporate emerging technologies, it continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs in the local community.

The details

The science fair, run by a board led by Annette Oertling, saw participation dip after Hurricane Katrina but has since rebounded, with 21 schools represented this year. Categories now include machine intelligence, computational biology, and games technology, in addition to more traditional fields. Around 60 projects from the local fair are sent to the state competition each year, and several students are selected for the all-expenses-paid trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

  • The 70th annual Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair will take place February 23-25, 2026.
  • The fair was revived in 2007 after being disrupted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The players

Annette Oertling

Board president of the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair, who first got involved with the organization in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

Michelle Sanchez

Fair director and associate dean for community engagement and academic partnerships at Tulane University.

Britton Sanderford

A past participant who has gone on to start several companies and hold over 80 patents.

Dylan Bracey

A Georgia Tech student whose winning fair projects helped him gain admission to the university.

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What they’re saying

“There's no limits to what they try to do their projects on ... because they're so young. That actually makes for a really cool experience.”

— Michelle Sanchez, Fair director and associate dean for community engagement and academic partnerships at Tulane University (nola.com)

“Brett and I would not have gotten into Georgia Tech if it weren't for the science fair. Hot Car Life Alarm, without a doubt, is what put us here and set us up for success in the future.”

— Dylan Bracey, Georgia Tech student (nola.com)

“I maybe would have never had a chance to start a company or to be involved in things that I treasure here if not for the science fair.”

— Britton Sanderford (nola.com)

What’s next

The 70th annual Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair will take place February 23-25, 2026 at Tulane University's Lavin-Bernick Center.

The takeaway

The Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair has evolved with the times, incorporating new technologies and fields of study, while continuing to inspire young innovators and provide life-changing opportunities. The fair's enduring legacy demonstrates the power of STEM education to transform lives and communities.