The Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair (FWRSEF), held in partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington, is the oldest continuously operating regional science fair in Texas. One of the reasons it has been so successful is the tireless organizational efforts of UT Arlington psychology professor Yuan Bo Peng, who has served as director of the 73-year-old FWRSEF since 2012.
In recognition of his dedication to the science fair, Dr. Peng received the 2024 Outstanding Community Service Individual Award from the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE/USA-DFW).
“It is my honor and privilege to have this opportunity to serve our community and I am extremely honored to receive the 2024 CIE/USA-DFW Individual Outstanding Community Award,” said Peng.
Founded in 1951, FWRSEF serves students from 10 Texas counties (Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise) and is the largest fair of its kind in North Texas . Sponsored by UT Arlington and held each February, the fair requires extensive preparation throughout the year, including creating a student application process, forming a science review committee, organizing logistics for the event, and securing volunteers to serve. as judges for the projects presented by the students. in grades 6 through 12.
Under Peng’s leadership, participation in the fair by North Texas students has grown significantly. This year, more than 400 students participated, submitting a total of 306 projects. Awards were presented in 15 categories, with category and best of fair awards totaling more than $8,000.
This fair is one of only two regional fairs in Texas that does not charge a fee for schools or students to attend. The main reason the fair can afford this is because of extensive fundraising efforts by Peng and colleagues to cover some of the cost of running the fair — including student awards and space and equipment rental — and to sponsor seven participants to continue at Regeneron. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Last year, a Plano East High School student working in the lab of Junha Jeon, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UTA, won multiple awards at ISEF.
Each year, FWRESF also nominates approximately 50 middle school projects and 50 high school projects to go on to compete in the Texas Science and Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University.
“This award to Dr. Peng is a well-deserved and fitting recognition of his exemplary service to the UTA-Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair,” said Morteza Khaledi, dean of the UTA College of Science. “The fair is a great way for young students to showcase their talents in science and engineering, and it takes a lot of work to make it a success every year. Dr. Peng and his team have done an excellent job of managing this event.”
A full professor at UTA since 2014, Peng’s research efforts focus on the central nervous system and understanding pain mechanisms.
-Greg Pederson, College of Science
About the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to advancing knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second largest institution in the UT system. UTA’s combination of distinguished academics and innovative research contributes to its designation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American Native Serving Pacific Islander Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelence for her commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The university is ranked as the national public university no. 1 in the US for Veterans (Military Times2024), No. 4 in Texas for advancing social mobility (US News & World Report2025), and no. 6 in the United States for its university ethnic diversity (US News & World Report2025). Some 270,000 UT Arlington alumni hold leadership positions in many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University of Texas’ $28.8 billion annual economic impact.