Los Alamos Schools Postpone Science Fair to Jan. 31, Cancel Saturday Events

Los Alamos Public Schools postponed the District Science Fair and canceled Saturday activities after forecasting indicated severe weekend weather that could endanger participants and the public. The district published the notice on Jan. 23, 2026, saying the fair originally scheduled for Jan. 23-24 would be rescheduled and that safety was the primary concern.

Under the district's announcement, the science fair will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, with participant setup moved to Friday, Jan. 30. The district said the fair location will be determined and communicated to families and teachers. In addition, all LAPS sports events and other district activities scheduled at school facilities for Saturday, Jan. 24 were canceled.

The decision affects students across the district who planned displays, experiments and judging schedules, as well as teachers, parent volunteers and area judges who coordinate logistics. Moving the fair by one week forces adjustments in travel, equipment transport and project timelines for families who had expected to present this weekend. Coaches and athletic programs must rework practice plans and any competitive schedules tied to Jan. 24 events.

School leaders framed the changes as a precaution to avoid unsafe road conditions and large gatherings during adverse weather. Beyond immediate safety, the postponement highlights recurring operational costs and scheduling friction for extracurricular programs when weather forces last-minute changes. For volunteers and contractors who provide staging, food service or technical support, a delay may mean additional coordination or lost weekend income if services were nonrefundable.

For local residents, the shift means keeping an eye on LAPS communications for the finalized fair venue and any further schedule updates. Students who plan to enter projects should prepare for an adjusted setup time on Jan. 30; families with weekend plans may need to rearrange travel and childcare. Athletic program participants should contact their coaches or school athletic directors for rescheduling details and any make-up dates.

The district’s action follows common practice among New Mexico school systems to prioritize safety in the face of severe weather forecasts. In the near term, parents, volunteers and vendors should monitor messages from Los Alamos Public Schools for the confirmed location of the Jan. 31 fair and any additional instructions. The postponement is a one-week disruption for the District Science Fair, but it underscores the practical trade-offs schools face between maintaining event schedules and protecting student and community safety.