Kern County Science Fair Leads Students to International Stage

One teenager wanted to better understand a medical challenge that had affected her family. Another became fascinated after stumbling across a Wikipedia article about cryogenics. That curiosity eventually led Bakersfield Christian High School junior Simar Singh and Bakersfield High School senior Eric Nahama to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s premier international pre-college STEM competition.

While their projects explored vastly different scientific challenges, both say the Kern County Science Fair taught them far more than research techniques by challenging them to think critically, solve complex problems, and keep asking questions.

Singh developed an artificial intelligence model to improve medical imaging for patients with breast cancer brain metastases. Nahama designed a better helical tube for dilution refrigerators, machines that cool materials to temperatures just above absolute zero.

“The Kern County Science Fair taught me how to ask meaningful questions, design experiments, analyze data, and communicate my findings, rather than the notion that research means getting everything right the first time,” Singh said. “It’s about persistence, creativity, and continuing to learn from failure.”

Those are precisely the skills Michelle Roy, Science Coordinator at KCSOS, hopes every student develops.

When students participate in the Kern County Science Fair, which takes place every spring, they learn to “think like a scientist or engineer” by asking meaningful questions, testing ideas, analyzing evidence, and solving real-world problems, Roy explained.

Through the STEAM & Expanded Learning Team, KCSOS provides educators with resources that emphasize scientific practices. Those lessons ultimately impact thousands of Kern County students. The goal is to decrease rote learning and encourage inquiry-driven instruction where students can engage in active exploration.

Perhaps the most authentic scientific experience happens when students defend their research and answer questions from STEAM professionals at the science fair.

“In that interview process,” Roy shared, “They get to really act like a scientist or an engineer.”

Nahama’s project, Computational Fluid Dynamic-Based Evaluation of Cryogenic Heat Transfer in Helical Tube Heat Exchangers, challenged him to redesign a key component in dilution refrigerators, which he did, ultimately doubling its efficiency.

Completing the project required him to spend nearly a year mastering ANSYS engineering software while building on computer-aided design (CAD) skills he first developed through Bakersfield High School’s Project Lead the Way program.

Despite the advanced design software required, the project began with something much simpler.

“I was on Wikipedia one day, and I came across cryogenics. One of my biggest things I do is… when I don’t know something, I’m going to figure it out. I want to know,” he said.

That curiosity became a lesson in perseverance. Nahama recalled long nights working until 2 a.m. to complete his research and reflected that students at every grade level experience similar challenges.

“Through the science fair, you don’t get anything without consistency,” Nahama said.

Bakersfield High School senior Eric Nahama earned his place on the international stage after winning first place at the Kern County Science Fair in the 9-12 grade Physics, Astronomy & Electronics category and qualifying for the California Science Fair.

Roy believes that persistence and the ability to think critically using evidence is exactly what science education should build.

“Ultimately, it’s our mission as K-12 science educators to create students who are curious about science and engineering and are scientifically literate so that they can be engaged thinkers as adults and make great contributions to society,” Roy said. “They’re going to be voters and participating citizens who can make informed decisions and have a positive impact on our community.”

Singh is already putting those lessons into practice. She is eager to build a career in medicine and research and inspire more girls to explore STEM opportunities. She is the CEO and Founder of Girls Got Stem, a local organization that encourages girls to pursue STEM studies and careers.

Singh’s science fair project was driven by the loss of two close family members to late-state breast cancer brain metastasis due to missed detection and inaccurate boundary definition.

“My dream is to care for patients while also developing new technologies and treatments that help solve problems medicine hasn’t yet answered,” she said.

Her project, 3D CerebraNet+++: State-of-the-Art 3D Structural Image Reconstruction UNett++ Model for Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis, focused on the development of a 3D tumor-aware MRI reconstruction framework.

“If I could give one piece of advice to students who are curious about STEM but don’t know where to start, it would be this: don’t wait until you feel ready,” Singh said. “Be curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to fail.”

Grateful for the support of the Kern County Science Foundation, her teachers, and her family, she encourages other students to take that first step and explore the opportunities the Kern County Science Fair can provide.

Nahama also hopes more students discover those same opportunities.

“My biggest takeaway from the science fair experience was the people I met and the skills I learned,” he said. “The science fair is such an unbelievable experience that more students should be taking advantage of.”

Singh and Nahama’s international success illustrate the larger purpose behind the Kern County Science Fair. Behind the award-winning projects are thoughtful problem-solvers who are approaching their futures with a scientific thought process they picked up in school.

“It’s our hope that the kids who come through our K-12 system are changed and inspired to go on and be a productive part of our current county community,” Roy said. “There’s nothing better than that. Locally grown talent.”