Los Alamos Schools Require Checks for Science Fair Donations, Deadline Nears

Los Alamos Public Schools has updated how the community can support the 2026 Los Alamos District Science and Engineering Fair, and it is asking donors to act quickly. The fair will take place Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Barranca Mesa Elementary School, and the district is now requiring that all contributions be made by check and processed through the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. Donations must be received by Dec. 16, 2025 and may not be earmarked for individual award categories or specific groups of students.

The science fair remains one of the district's most impactful academic events. Last school year 100 students competed at the district level, 45 advanced to the Regional Science Fair, and 42 reached the State competition. Several Senior Division students qualified to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Ohio. Those results underscore how local funding supports projects that can move from classroom experiments to national stages.

District officials say the revised payment rules follow guidance from legal and financial advisors and are intended to ensure full compliance with financial guidelines while preserving equity among competitors. The restriction on directing funds to particular awards is designed to keep resources distributed across the student body and to protect the integrity of the competition.

Community sponsorship remains critical because donated funds pay for event logistics, materials, recognition awards, and travel or entry expenses for students who advance to higher level competitions. With the deadline a little over a week away, organizers emphasize that timely gifts are necessary to finalize planning and award support.

To contribute, mail or deliver checks to Los Alamos Public Schools at 2075 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Checks should be made payable to Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation with the note: 2026 Science Fair. For questions about sponsorship or the updated donation process, contact Davine Jones at 505.663.2340 or davine.jones@laschools.net. The district expects community support to remain a key driver of student opportunities in STEM and competition success.