Kern County Students Shine at 2025 California Science & Engineering Fair

Nearly 900 of California’s brightest young minds gathered at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on April 12–13 for the 2025 California Science & Engineering Fair, the state’s premier science competition for students in grades 6 through 12. Among the 881 participants representing 351 schools, several Kern County students stood out for their innovative research and scientific curiosity.

This year’s fair featured 701 science and engineering projects competing for nearly $30,000 in total awards. Top winners in the Junior Division earned the opportunity to advance to the national Thermo Fisher Scientific competition, while Senior Division awardees are now eligible to represent California at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Students from schools in and around Kern County placed in a variety of categories:

• Cognitive Science (Junior Division):
  1st Place – Maximus Hernandez & Eli Ozcan, Saint Francis School
• Mammalian Biology (Junior Division):
  3rd Place – Shalini Dandamudi, Saint Francis Parish School
• Zoology (Junior Division):
  4th Place – Alekha Goldberg, Peak to Peak Mountain Charter School
• Applied Mechanics (Junior Division):
  5th Place – Emmeline Blakie, Saint Ann School
• Chemistry (Junior Division):
  5th Place – Paul Blakie, Saint Ann School
• Materials Science (Junior Division):
  5th Place – Catherine Wahba, Saint John’s Lutheran School
• Computational Systems & Analysis (Senior Division):
  5th Place – Ishmeet Singh, Stockdale High School

Since 1952, the California Science & Engineering Fair has served as the culminating event of the academic year for student scientists and engineers across the state. With its emphasis on real-world inquiry and innovation, the competition continues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.