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Science fair winners head to state, two advance to international event

Niceville.com4 Mins Read
Sasha McCraine holds her Regeneron Biomedical Science Award certificate while standing in front of an East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair banner.
Sasha McCraine of Niceville High School is recognized with the Regeneron Biomedical Science Award at the East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. She and Summer House of Magnet Innovation Center will represent the region at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio, from May 10-16. (Contributed)

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Regional science fair champions from Okaloosa and Walton counties are preparing to compete at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair (FSSEF) and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) following their success at the recent regional competition.

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Two students, Sasha McCraine of Niceville High School and Summer House of Magnet Innovation Center, located in Watersound, earned top honors and will represent the region at ISEF in Columbus, Ohio, from May 10-16. The competition will bring together more than 1,800 high school students from 75 countries to showcase their research on a global stage.

Meanwhile, a select group of students will advance to the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair, held in Lakeland from March 25-27. These finalists were chosen based on their overall performance and project evaluations during the regional fair.

Students advancing to the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair are (Senior Division) Henry Baltz, Adam Clark, Jaylyn Contento, Summer House, Tate Lillian, Sasha McCraine, Grace Petty, Daisy Proffitt, Chase Robbins, and Elisabeth Wallace; (Junior Division) Ian Allen, Jonah Chapados, Anthony Doyle, Natasha Duffley, Diego Escobar, Sofia Escobar, Ryan Gregg, Brantley Lane, Emmalyn Otzenberger, Moira Reyenga, Eva Stenstad, Katie Stango, and Emily Stone.

A young student explains his solar energy project to a judge at the regional science fair.
A student presents his solar energy project at the regional science fair, engaging with a judge on his findings. (Contributed)

During the regional competition in February, students presented their research at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, engaging in one-on-one interviews with professional scientists and engineers. Judges assessed projects on scientific methodology, innovation, and articulation, with winners recognized at an awards ceremony.

Beyond state and national qualifiers, several students participating in the regional competition received special awards for excellence in specific STEM fields:

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  • Thermo Fisher Junior Innovator’s Challenge: Ian Allen, Jonah Chapados, Anthony Doyle, Diego Escobar, Ryan Gregg, Moira Reyenga
  • Society of American Military Engineers (SAME): First place – Brantley Lane, Jackson Despard | Second place – Ryan Gregg, Tate Lillian
  • SLUGGO Award by Modern Technology Solutions Incorporated (MTSI): First place – Sasha McCraine, Eva Stenstad | Second place – Carter Fields, Natasha Duffley
  • Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society: Moira Reyenga, Adam Clark
  • Air Force Association, Chapter 398: First place – Ian Allen, Summer House | Second place – Elijah Haley, Carter Skaggs
  • Okaloosa County Waste Resources: Emmalyn Otzenberger, Elisabeth Wallace
  • Office of Naval Research: Landon Weisberg, Ella Norman, Carter Skaggs, Delaine Rajesnayagham
  • 46th Test Squadron Cyber Test Group: Anthony Doyle, Elisabeth Wallace, Chase Robbins
  • Garnier Beach Garden Club: Jonah Chapados, Grace Petty, Daisy Proffitt, Moira Reyenga
  • Northwest Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): First place – Diego Escobar, Jackson Despard | Second place – Elijah Haley, Summer House
A student smiles while showcasing her research project on water quality and algae at the science fair.
A student proudly displays her environmental science project after earning recognition at the East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. (cONTRIBUTED)
A student discusses her science project on biodegradable materials with a judge at the East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
A student presents her research on biodegradable materials at the East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair, where finalists earned spots at state and international competitions. (Contributed)
  • The Drs. Alice and Louis Fay Award for Chemistry: First place – Jaylyn Contento, Charles Brooks | Second place – Natasha Duffley, Denise Heidbreder
  • The Hannibal and Tyreeca Davis Award for Mathematics: First place – Chase Robbins, Abigail Patenaude | Second place – Summer House, Averil Lillian, Eva Stenstad
  • Emerald Coast Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association: First place – Summer House ($300) | Second place – Tate Lillian ($200) | Third place – Jaylyn Contento ($100)
  • Florida Association of Science Teachers: Rylee Torres, Zara Crocker
  • Ricoh Sustainable Development Award: Carter Skaggs
  • Emerald Coast Science Center: GEMS Award – Moira Reyenga | Environmental Advocate Award – Natasha Duffley
  • Association for Women Geoscientists: Aimi Frasca
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  • Lemelson Early Inventor Prize: Liam Hills
  • Regeneron Biomedical Special Award: Sasha McCraine
  • Yale Science and Engineering Program: Sasha McCraine
  • US Metric Association Award: Landon Weisberg
  • NOAA “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” Award: Simon Katz
  • Air Force Research Lab STEM Awards: Henry Baltz, Diego Escobar, Brantley Lane, Chase Robbins
  • NASA Earth Systems Science Award: Katie Stango
  • Stockholm Junior Water Prize: Grace Petty
  • Society for In Vitro Biology Award: Mallory Goldin
A student presents his engineering project to a judge in a military flight suit, engaging in a discussion about his findings.
A student explains his engineering research to a judge during the East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. (Contributed)

For more information on upcoming science competitions, visit the Okaloosa County School District website.

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