Young Innovators Shine at 2025 STEAM Olympiad

More than 1,100 fourth through eighth grade students from dozens of schools competed in a series of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) challenges in the annual Kern County STEAM Olympiad Saturday at Liberty High School. The event, sponsored by the Kern County Science Foundation and the Kern County Math Council, helps foster 21st-century skills in STEAM fields that align with California Standards.

Matt Kedzierski, president of the Kern County Science Foundation, says competitions such as this help to foster a love of science in young kids and teach them essential skills such as research, STEAM skills, critical thinking, presentation, and more.

“If we can foster their interest in STEM as in the early ages, they tend to grasp, grasp onto that and choose a career in that,” Kedzierski said. “It’s that critical thinking that we can get them doing now will make them thrive later in their lives.”

Some events involved catapults, mousetrap race cars, and rockets, while others required students to work on logic puzzles or make math calculations. Teams created complex Rube Goldberg machines that use a chain reaction to perform certain tasks. Students also created balloon towers and raced against the clock to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

Kedzierski says his favorite part of the competition is seeing kids’ smiles as they succeed in their division. He says he’s proud of how the competition has grown since it first began.

“A couple of years ago, we had 75 students. This year, we have 1100 students from 41 schools. They keep getting bigger and bigger,” Kedzierski said. “It’s just been amazing.”

Results

Chalk Talk

4th Grade Chalk Talk:
1st: Virginia Ave, Jayleen Montoya, Zoe Vega
2nd: Myrtle Ave, Bianca Mendoza, Isabella Muvalles
3rd: TIE
Laurelglen, Atalia Merlo, Lylianna Maldonado
Stockdale, Emanuel Constantino

5th Grade Chalk Talk:
1st: Stockdale, Autumn Epstein, Ella Kiesel
2nd: Harvest, David Gutierrez
3rd: Laurelglen, Ines Jaurequi, Clarah Hamilton

6th Grade Chalk Talk:
1st: Valley Oaks, Naomi Hansen
2nd: La Vina Middle, Christopher Rivas, Lauraine Barroga
3rd: Stockdale, Raivet Raval

7th Grade Chalk Talk:
1st: Actis JH, Ewan McPherson
2nd: Almond Tree, Emma Alvarez
3rd: Sunset, Angeli Ayala

8th Grade Chalk Talk:
1st: Cecil Ave Math and Science, Kimberly Rivera, Michelle Fuentes
2nd: Grow Academy Shafter, Charlie Wiebe, Dalilah Feliciano
3rd: La Vina Middle, Koumba Diallo, Myrielle Melad

Traditional Relay

4th Grade Traditional Relay:
1st: Stockdale, Viraj Deokar, Nidish Chadana, Nick Valos, Ivan Cantu
2nd: Grow Academy Shafter, Miguel Navarrete III, Nikolas Reyna, Evan Martinez, Donovan Rockmore
3rd: Patriot, Cain Torres, Sophia Figueroa, Colton Vancil, Trinity Wade

5th Grade Traditional Relay:
1st: Del Vista Math and Science, Santiago Lamas, Clark De La Cruz, Alexander Pimentel, Liam Hernandez
2nd: Harvest, Ismael Silva, Jaylord Melad, David Gutierrez, Mason Medina
3rd: Morningside, Aaliyah Serda, Aleah Astorga, Nathaniel Rivera, Sandra Estrada

6th Grade Traditional Relay:
1st: Stockdale, Genevieve Sullivan, Pranshi Agrawal, Rudram Raval, Darshan Sarath Babu
2nd: Virginia Ave, Gustavo Jacuinde, Valeria Bojorquez, Giselle Sanabia, Xavier Alvis

7th Grade Traditional Relay:
1st: Fruitvale JH, Ethan Wei-Louie, Steven Chen, Veer Govindji, Johnny Valenzuela
2nd: Tevis JH, David Jimenez, Anderson Newell, Emmett Forsyth, Derrick Garcia
3rd: Cecil Ave, Justin Bocanegra, Janette Mendez, Frenzien Laforteza, Victoria Ayala

8th Grade Traditional Relay:
1st: Almond Tree Middle, Liana Van, Isabela Silvestre, Zoe Feliscian, Devine Membreve Mariquin
2nd: Warren JH, Srikandan Narayanan, Blake Ahan, Daniel Sun, Jayden Yuan
3rd: La Vina Middle, Gurtaj Sidhu, Clifford Rose, Austin Fernandez, Raiverr Dumloa

Sudoku

4th Grade Sudoku:
1st: Morningside, Andrew Salazar
2nd: Grow Academy Shafter, Mackenzie Prieto
3rd: Stockdale, Mikayla Moroyoqui

5th Grade Sudoku:
1st: Morningside, Cali Nelmida
2nd: Grow Academy Shafter, Ashley Garcia
3rd: Del Vista Math and Science Academy, Sebastian Reyes

6th Grade Sudoku:
1st: Alicante Avenue, Helen Garcia
2nd: Myrtle Avenue, Nathan Garay
3rd: La Vina Middle, Nicholas Perez Leon

7th Grade Sudoku:
1st: Cecil Avenue Math and Science Academy, Luz Yanez
2nd: Grow Academy Shafter, Timothy Rollins
3rd: Sunset, Angelie Ayala

8th Grade Sudoku:
1st: Pioneer, Daniela Montano
2nd: La Vina Middle, Chloe Membreve
3rd: Mt. View Middle, Jocelyn Martinez

Code Busters

4th Grade Code Busters:
1st: Patriot, Sylas Jackson, Xander Gutierrez, Miley Rodriguez
2nd: Laurelglen, Harrison Coppler, Mizraim Barreto, Atalia Merio
3rd: Stockdale, Abigail Moreno, Landon Reynolds, Charlize Rodriguez

5th Grade Code Busters:
1st: Stockdale, Aliyn Oker Aarin Nambiar, Pritika Julka
2nd: Patriot, Madison Gallagher, Elisa Aguila, Cierra Brackett
3rd: Nueva Vista, Arnulfo Rodriguez, Jiselle Medina, Iratze Fleets

6th Grade Code Busters:
1st: La Vina, Gurnoor Sidhu, Kailey Mendoza, Kathy Carnero, Jakeilah Duran
2nd: Stockdale, Agasthya Dhumal, Harrison Forsyth, Owen Taff
3rd: Leo B. Hart, Caleb Rairez, Prabhekam Singh, Nathan Webster

7th Grade Code Busters:
1st: Grow Academy Arvin, Cain Paz, Liam McCutcheon, Gloria Flores
2nd: Warren JH, Emily Ramirez, David Kwon, Taylor Starbuck
3rd: O.J. Actis JH, Aaron Linares, Kaitlyn Wang, Faith Espinoza

8th Grade Code Busters:
1st: Almond Tree Middle, Emma Vasquez, Keoki Rosales, Audrey Castillo
2nd: Warren JH, Joan Kwon, Aalene Hernandez, Gavin Huang

Biathlon Games

4th Grade Biathlon Games:
1st: Nueva Vista Language Academy, Gihan Gihan
2nd: Patriot, Miley Rodriguez
3rd: Morningside, Emily Uribe

5th Grade Biathlon Games:
1st: Harvest, Jacob Galvan
2nd: Van Horn, Lauraly Jennings
3rd: Del Vista Math and Science Academy, Santiago Lamas

6th Grade Biathlon Games:
1st: Almond Tree Middle, Santiago Gonzalez Lopez
2nd: Myrtle Ave, Jose Navarro; Stockdale Elementary, Harrison Forsyth
3rd: Cecil Ave Math & Science Academy, Jacob Celaya

7th Grade Biathlon Games:
1st: La Vina, Kennedy San Antonio
2nd: Actis JH, Jonan Fernandez
3rd: Tevis JH, Emmet Forsyth

8th Grade Biathlon Games:
1st: La Vina, Lakhwinder Gansie
2nd: Palm Ave, Miguel Acosta
3rd: Norris Middle, Nihar Gaikwad

Mancala

4th Grade Mancala:
1st: Morningside Elem., Lael Lopez
2nd: Harvest, Audrina Medina
3rd: Myrtle Ave., Aribella Salinas

5th Grade Mancala:
1st: Nueva Vista Language Academy, Samira Numi
2nd: Patriot Elementary, Beau Askew
3rd: Morningside Elem., Ayana Rose Garcia

6th Grade Mancala:
1st: Stockdale, Austin Lopez
2nd: Cecil Ave., Raziel Valdivia
3rd: Palm Ave., Regina Guzman Aguilar

7th Grade Mancala:
1st: Almond Tree, German Magdelano
2nd: Norris Middle, Vincent Fletcher
3rd: Cecil Ave., Anthony Pimentel

8th Grade Mancala:
1st: Actis JH, Ava Cooper
2nd: Thomas Jefferson Middle, Ann Marie
3rd: Almond Tree, Jose Luis

Engineering Challenge

Elementary Engineering Challenge:
1st: Nueva Vista, Samira Numi, Noah Cantu, Sebastian Ramirez
2nd: Valley Oaks, Luke Cotton, Smith Baker, Naomi Hanson
3rd: Forrest Elem., Angelina Villegas, Abel Pierto, Adam, Quintrena

Junior High Engineering Challenge:
1st: McFarland, Yareli Herrera, Jorge Gonzalez, Sergia Escutira
2nd: LaVina, Elijah Basconcillo, Austin Fernandez, Gurtuj Sidhu
3rd: Norris Middle, Caia Morgan, Nihar Gaikwad, Maddox Mara

Art Competition

4th Grade Art Competition:
1st: Whitley Elementary. Seerith Grewel
2nd: Princeton Elementary, Eden Basconcillo
3rd: Virginia Ave Elementary, Jayleen Montoya & Ryan Spicer

5th Grade Art Competition:
1st: Hart Elementary, Lily Holguin
2nd: Patriot Elementary, Chloe Currier
3rd: McAuliffe Elementary, Davis Roberts

6th Grade Art Competition:
1st: Hart Elementary, Shereena Ily Cacayuran
2nd: La Mina Middle School, Laurine Barroga
3rd: Hart Elementary, Emily Rose Garcia Salinas

7th Grade Art Competition:
1st: Norris Middle School, Lailany Barrera
2nd: Grow Academy-Arvin, Brooklyn Orozco
3rd: Tevis Junior High, Nyla Perkins

8th Grade Art Competition:
1st: Norris Middle School, Isabella Porter
2nd: Norris Middle School, Isabella Salcido
3rd: Norris Middle School, Isabella Avila

Circuit Training

4th Grade Circuit Training:
1st: Patriot, Xander Gutierrez
2nd: Del Vista, Aaron Flores
3rd: Discovery, Jacob Youssef

5th Grade Circuit Training:
1st: Virginia Ave, Andres Valencia, Adrian Amaya
2nd: Stockdale Elem, Aliyn Oker, Pritika Julka
3rd: Nueva Vista Language Academy, Eli Ramirez, Sebastian Ramirez

6th Grade Circuit Training:
1st: Stockdale, Olivia Grant, Caitlin Ashley
2nd: Grow Academy Shafter, Eli Maldonado, Adrian Santana
3rd: Cecil Ave Math and Science, Alex Lucas, Juice Pintor

7th/8th Circuit Training:
1st: TIE
Fruitvale JH, Kamille Noel, John Kott
Tevis JH, Kalev Campbell, Cianne Mendoza
2nd: Norris MS, Caia Morgan, Teegan Lahammer
3rd: Cecil Ave, Alejandro Maldondo, Jesus Esquivel

Mousetrap Vehicle

4th Grade Mousetrap Vehicle:
1st: Stockdale, Suhaan Mohanty, Finley Sloyan, Grace Garcia
2nd: Nueva Vista, Tereese Barrios, Adalynn Chavez, Penelope Trigo, Sophia Carranza
3rd: Alicante Ave, Said Guzman, Julian De La Torre

5th Grade Mousetrap Vehicle:
1st: Nueva Vista, Kimberly Baez, Esmeralda Gallardo, Valeria Gutierrez, Mikaela Cruz
2nd: Harvest, Damian Villanueva, Ashley Renteria, Cassey Peralta, Michael Cisneros
3rd: Redwood, Jackeline Palacios Perez, Ian Ayala

6th Grade Mousetrap Vehicle:
1st: Thomas Jefferson Middle, Nataly Virbes, Jesus Martinez, Armando Mendoza
2nd: Palm Ave, Mazen Jaatit, Daniel Navarro, Raymond Fernandez, Oziel Garcia
3rd: La Vina Middle, Gael Hernandez, Owenn Montemayor, Noah Melgoza

7th Grade Mousetrap Vehicle:
1st: Norris Middle, Jason Anthony, Advita Mathur
2nd: Fruitvale JH, Cece Gallardo, Meera Ali, Ethan Vargas, Logan Warner
3rd: Palm Ave, Jiraiya Rodriguez

8th Grade Mousetrap Vehicle:
1st: Tevis JH, Ahsaas Randhawa
2nd: Pioneer, Elizabeth Bailey, Mason Cervantes, Vanessa Madero
3rd: Thomas Jefferson Middle, Brandon Tolliver

Storm the Castle

4th Grade Storm the Castle:
1st: Van Horn, Zoey Grey, Walter Nash, David Meas
2nd: Myrtle Ave., Andrea Solas, Jaleen Flores, Galilea
3rd: Maricopa Elem., Jasmine Cisneros, Lillian Gamble

5th Grade Storm the Castle:
1st: Semitropic Elementary, Daniel Ojeda, Alexia Ramirez
2nd: Myrtle Avenue, Jayden Mora, Alex Munoz, Daniel Santacruz
3rd: Laurelglen Elem., Scarlett Pequeno, Ines Jaurequi, Clarah Hamilton

6th Grade Storm the Castle:
1st: Myrtle Ave., Oliver Sebastian, Denzil Morales, Dilan Hernandez, Luis Garcia
2nd: Palm Ave., Sergio Alvarado, Andres Aguero, Ozieo Garcia, Daniel Navarro
3rd: Semitropic Elem., Luis Cruz Valladares, Miguel Vasquez

7th Grade Storm the Castle:
1st: Grow Academy Shafter, Wyatt O’Brien, Kaleb Hasha, Andres Jimenez
2nd: Norris Middle, Chisom Ogbonnaya, Nathaniel Andrews, Aaron Cortes, Matthew Cornell
3rd: Mt. View Middle, Jorge Gonzalez, Adam Navarro

8th Grade Storm the Castle:
1st: Tevis JH, Zoe Sepulveda, Esther Ding, Caleb Anderson, Reese Nelson
2nd: McFarland JH, Jona Segura, Jose Mendoza, Julio Nunez, Estevan Avilez
3rd: Actis JH, Xavier Rodriguez, Jayzon Phillips, Noah Gonzalez

School Problem Solving

4th Grade School Problem Solving:
1st: Harvest:Sham Morgan, Ricardo Castellanos
2nd: Princeton: Jason Rivera, Jairus Felipe, Eden Basconc
3rd: Grow Academy Shafter, Emma Verdugo, Penelope Garcia, Olivia Wilson, Carisa Corez Campbell

5th Grade School Problem Solving:
1st: Patriot, Kason Mullen, Chase Allen, Austin Coombs, Case Murry
2nd: Morningside, Jacob Velasco, Yanuel Flores, Hilario Garcia, Charlotte Cabida
3rd: Harvest, Justine Gonatice, Louie Richer, Ari Cena, Elijah Ochoa

6th Grade School Problem Solving:
1st: LaVina Middle, Christopher Rivas, Lauraine Barroga, Gurnoor Sidha, Debby Barroga
2nd: Cecil Ave, Alex Lucas Chavez, June Pintor, Aimerie Martin, Alyssa Ortiz
3rd: Leo B. Hart, Prabnekam Singh, Samuel Anderson, Zane Vertiz, Caleb Ramirez

7th/8th Grade School Problem Solving:
1st: Fruitvale JH, Johnny Valenzuela, Steven Chen, Shashank Ramasubramanian, Theo Brandon
2nd: Almond Tree Middle, Isabella Silvestre, Liana Van, Devine Membreve
3rd: LaVina Middle, Jaeden Micu, Zyla Ramos, Ali Acosta, Adrian Aranibar

Ping Pong Parachute

4th Grade Ping Pong Parachute:
1st: Alicante School, Emery Conchado, Bryan Petris
2nd: Myrtle Avenue, Avaree Padilla, Jailine Rodriguez, Jayden Rodriguez, Roman Peralta
3rd: Redwood Elementary, Leslie Moreno, Victoria Lara, Braden Hogan

5th Grade Ping Pong Parachute:
1st: Myrtle Avenue, Edwin Villegas, Esteban Pacheco, Juan Concha, Camila Gaytan
2nd: Nueva Vista, Gael Cortez, Ricardo Suarez, Julian Ponce, Isaac Hernandez
3rd: Del Vista, Johnny Medel, Mason Fernandez, Noah Miranda, Sofia Gallegos

6th Grade Ping Pong Parachute:
1st: Palm Avenue, Mazen Jaatit, Daniel Navarro, Raymond Fernandez, Oziel Garcia
2nd: Myrtle Avenue, Joran Magana, Christian Benavidez, Yaretzi Chino, Jordan Medin
3rd: Redwood Elementary, Eliseo Alvarez, Marin Puente

7th Grade Ping Pong Parachute:
1st: Palm Avenue, Mateo Garcia, Michael Chavez, Jiraiya Rodriguez, Champ Smith
2nd: Maricopa, Mekhi Moreno, Kadin Oxford, Lourdes Ponce
3rd: Mt. View, Adam Navarro, Jorge Gonzalez, Ivan Montano, Victor Ramirez

8th Grade Ping Pong Parachute:
1st: Pioneer, Hanny Madrigal, Oliva Trigo, Tifany Hernandez, Princess, Vicente
2nd: Tevis, Monsterrat Sanchez, Caleb Anderson, Sterling Jones
3rd: Richland Jr. High, Jayden Aguilar, Justin Celedon

Rube Goldberg

4th Grade Rube Goldberg:
1st: Nueva Vista, Sophia Carranza, Alia Madrigal, Penelope Trigo, Adalyn Chavez, Noah Cantu, Mia Gonzalez
2nd: Virginia Ave, Ryann Spicer, Jaythan Leon, Brian Villa
3rd: Christa McAuliffe, Rohan Davis, Max Shappert, Joseph Smith

5th Grade Rube Goldberg:
1st: Myrtle Avenue, Moises Vargas, Ivan Sanchez, Alyson Rico, Darikson Martinez
2nd: Nueva Vista, Samira Numi, Iratze Fleets, Nazario Ambriz, Renata Viramontes, Isaiah Samano, Ruben Vasquez, Isaac Hernandez
3rd: Morningside, Nicole Villegas, Lebanah Ortega, Sophia Vega, Yuliana Beltran

6th Grade Rube Goldberg:
1st: Myrtle Ave, Daniel, Vivas, Fabian Alcala, Nicole Solis, Cateleya Floyd
2nd: Valley Oaks Charter, Josiah Shannon, Luke Cotton
3rd: Stockdale, Agastya Dhumal, Pranshi Agrawal

7th Grade Rube Goldberg:
1st: Warren JH, Siani Ribaya, Arielle Chen, Mariana Matta, Carol Kercakes
2nd: Pioneer, Mia Uriarte, Kayla Escobedo, Oisis Serrato, Dalia Basurto, Donoma Candolita, Lilliona Fierro
3rd: O.J. Actis JH, Ellie Richert, Serenity Cervantes

8th Grade Rube Goldberg:
1st: Valley Oaks Charter, Bela Legrama, Sari Legrama
2nd: Warren JH, Mark Mousa, Analynn Ocano, Vincent Martinez, Lavina Anton, Elianna Roelofs, Elijah Frank-Almazan
3rd: Tevis JH, Jacob Viduya, Macayla Magugat, Joyce Filimon, Owen Sproul, Esther Ding, Kade

Rubik’s Cube

5th Grade Rubik’s Cube:
1st: Stockdale, Aarin Nambiar

6th Grade Rubik’s Cube:
1st: Leo B. Hart, Hunter Achterberg
2nd: Leo B. Hart, Liam Baccorro
3rd: Grow Academy Shafter, Lorenzo Perez

7th Grade Rubik’s Cube:
1st: Warren JH, Slani Ribaya
2nd: Cecil Ave, Alejandro Maldonado
3rd: Pioneer, Ethan Cantu

8th Grade Rubik’s Cube:
1st: Tevis JH, Kaleb Campbell
2nd: Warren JH, Mark Mousa
3rd: La Vina Middle, Joaquin Cruz