The Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair Foundation (NorCal STEM Education Foundation) was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in September 2001. The Foundation was originally created solely to operate and organize the Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair, previously supported by the Sacramento Bee. The first annual Fair run by the Foundation was held in the Spring of 2002. Through grassroots efforts, the Foundation conducted research that illustrated a need for STEM educational programs. The lack of STEM educational initiatives in the greater Sacramento region inspired the Foundation to expand from purely organizing the Fair to grow and become a now 12-county STEM educational foundation that provides programs and gathers resources for the entire region.
