Students from around the world come together at the 2023 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange - Society for Science Skip to content

Students from around the world come together at the 2023 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange

By Rachel Myers

2023 Regeneron ISEF finalists from Puerto Rico (left) and North Dakota (right) pose for a photo during the pin exchange.
Puerto Rican finalists wore their country’s traditional clothing and posed for a photo with a North Dakota finalist who wore an inflatable cow costume to the pin exchange. Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography

Exchanging pins from different countries and states that young scientists represent at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), is a tradition which kicks off an action-packed competition week. For the first time since 2019, Regeneron ISEF is fully in person, bringing together more than 1,600 students from 64 countries, regions and territories to exchange scientific ideas and learn about each other’s research projects. An event exclusively for the finalists, the energy in the room was buzzing as students excitedly asked, “where are you from?” and said “whoa, those pins are awesome!” Here’s an inside look at the first event of the week!

Society for Science President and CEO of Society for Science, and Executive Publisher of Science News Maya Ajmera (left) poses for a photo with 2023 Regeneron ISEF finalists during the Pin Exchange.
Society for Science President & CEO and Executive Publisher of Science News traded pins with finalists during the 2023 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange. Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography
2023 Regeneron ISEF finalists exchange pins, buttons, small flags and even postcards during the pin exchange.
Finalists not only exchanged pins, but they also exchanged buttons, Mardi Gras beads, country flags and postcards. Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography
2023 Regeneron ISEF finalists from Zimbabwe pose for a photo at the pin exchange.
It was all smiles during the 2023 Regeneron ISEF Pin Exchange! Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography

Interested in following along during Regeneron ISEF competition week? You can learn about this year’s finalists here. Tune in to watch the Grand Awards ceremony this Friday to see who takes home the top $75,000 award. That event starts at 9 a.m. CT on May 19.

Rachel Myers