The Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair (GNOSEF) is one of the oldest such fairs in the nation, with the first “New Orleans Regional Science Fair” held in 1956. It is managed by the Fair Directors and Board Members of the Greater New Orleans Science Fair, Inc. and is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Open to 6th – 12th grade students in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines parishes nominated by their schools or home school associations, it hosts over 300 students annually. The mission of the Greater New Orleans Science & Engineering Fair is to encourage independent student research in science and engineering, to encourage youth to pursue science, math, or engineering careers, and to promote collaboration and interaction between area students and scientists and engineers.