More than 700 students from 4th through 12th grade got out their poster boards and hands-on experiments to showcase their science projects at the 38th annual Kern County Science Fair, held Tuesday at the Dignity Health Convention Center. Students had to compete and win at their respective schools and districts in order to be eligible to compete at the county level. More than 200 volunteer judges from businesses across the county went over each project with the students, asking them questions and offering feedback.

For Stockdale High School Senior Tanvi Thallapalle, the science fair was the end of an era, but also a passing of the torch to the next generation.

“I’ve been doing this since fifth grade, which is really crazy to say, and it feels extra special because I have my younger brother doing it too,” Thallapalle said. “Last year was his first year, so at least we got to spend two years doing it together.”

Thallapalle, who hopes to enter the medical field, did her project on the vitamin C levels in fresh and shelf-stable juices, studying the chemistry of nutrition access here in the Central Valley.

“We’re a global leader in citrus production, yet many families rely on the cheaper, shelf stable option for affordability and convenience,” she said.

NASA’s Erin Waggoner gave the morning’s keynote address, talking about her experience as a scientist and engineer. Waggoner is chief of the research aerodynamics and propulsion branch at Nasa’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at the Edwards Air Force Base in Kern. She has logged over 200 flight hours as a flight test engineer and has served as a mission director and research project leader. She says being able to talk to students and answer their questions is a great honor.

“The students here today are really, truly the future of STEM and science and engineering and research, and so it is honestly a privilege to get to interact with them and to see their passion and to hear about their projects and the hard work they put into it,” Waggoner said.

Waggoner also encouraged the young scholars to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields in school and beyond, highlighting scholarship and internship opportunities that are available to them, including high school and collegiate internships at NASA.

“That internship experience is really key in helping students decide their career,” she said. “It takes you out of that academic environment, you get to apply what you’ve learned, and you also get to learn from subject matter experts in the field.”

First-place finishers in the middle school division and first-place finishers in the high school division are eligible to compete in the 76th annual California Science Fair, to be held April 11–12.

Two projects from the high school division will represent Kern County at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona, May 10–15. Approximately 1,800 students from around the world earn the opportunity to compete each year for nearly $5 million in awards and scholarships. This year’s Kern County representatives are Simar Singh of Bakersfield Christian High School and Eric Nahama of Bakersfield High School.

The Kern County Science Fair is administered by Kern County Superintendent of Schools with primary sponsorship provided by CA Resources Corporation and Chevron North America Exploration and Production. Additional sponsorship and support is offered by Lockheed Martin, Kern County Science Foundation, American Chemical Society – Mojave Desert Section, Berry Petroleum Company, and American Petroleum Institute San Joaquin Chapter, Dr. Sumeet Bhinder, CA Energy Renewal Laboratory, and Bonterra.

The following are the results in each category:

4th Grade Science Fair Results

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place — Ava Barbosa, Christa A. McAuliffe Elementary
Second Place — Ollin Cervantes, Mountain View TK-8
Third Place — Leo Olson, Leo B. Hart Elementary
Honorable Mention — Emmerson Tovar, John L. Prueitt Elementary

Behavioral & Cognitive Sciences
First Place — Mia Marquez, Pioneer Elementary
Second Place — Talulah Shahan, Laurelglen Elementary
Third Place — Emerson Galvan, W.A. Kendrick Elementary
Honorable Mention — Jesse Tatman, Granite Pointe Elementary

Biology
First Place — Carly Clark, Orangewood Elementary
Second Place — Easton Miller, Independence Elementary
Third Place — Melanie Gonzalez, Ramon Garza Elementary
Honorable Mention — Josiah Clodfelter, Highland Elementary

Chemistry
First Place — William Ruiz, Stine Elementary
Second Place — Greyson Mattly, Bill L. Williams Elementary
Third Place — Piper Reel, Golden Hills Elementary
Honorable Mention — Benjamin Patch, Roy W. Loudon Elementary

Earth & Environment
First Place — Jacqueline Navarro Chavez, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Second Place — Jannella Degamo, Princeton School
Third Place — Dashel Raguindin, Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary
Honorable Mention — Opal Villa, Wallace Elementary

Electronics & Electromagnetics
First Place — Robert Ruckman, Orangewood Elementary
Second Place — David Gallegos, Leo G. Pauly Elementary
Third Place — Aiden Larimer, Heartland Charter School
Honorable Mention — Ezekiel Tatum, Almondale Elementary

Materials Science
First Place — Dhanyasri Saravanan, Columbia Elementary
Second Place — Levi Domingues, Endeavour Elementary
Third Place — Ezra Olivas, Orangewood Elementary
Honorable Mention — Adam Barboza, Karl F. Clemens Elementary

Physics & Astronomy
First Place — Peyton Bridges, Heritage Christian School
Second Place — Gursansh Gill, Panama Elementary
Third Place — Kenneth Vargas, Orangewood Elementary
Honorable Mention — Eva Blakie, Saint Ann School

Plant Biology
First Place — Felicity Flynn, American Elementary
Second Place — Bradley Schwartz, Discovery Elementary
Third Place — Ariel Robles, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Honorable Mention — Vivienne Zandes, Valle Verde Elementary

Product Science
First Place — Saanvi Vyas, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Second Place — Penelope Gonzalez, Berkshire Elementary
Third Place — Eleanor Gatlin, Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary

5th Grade Science

Alternative Energy
First Place — Howard Hyatt, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Second Place — Addison Hernandez, Panama Elementary
Third Place — Addysin Chunn, Golden Hills Elementary

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place — Sashwath Sathiyaraja, Highgate Elementary School
Second Place — Eleanor Bazemore, Highgate Elementary School
Third Place — Titus Price, Heritage Christian School

Biochemistry & Biology
First Place — Noah Miranda, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Second Place — Charleigh Tripp, Highland Elementary
Third Place — Alexa Villapando, Sunset Middle School

Chemistry
First Place — Manseerat Kang, Wonderful College Prep Academy
Second Place — Corban Warolin, St. John’s Lutheran
Third Place — Esmee Mos, St. Francis Parish
Honorable Mention — Adam Banuelos, Rafaello Palla Elementary

Cognitive Science
First Place — Niel Goyal, St. John’s Lutheran
Second Place — Adelyn McLaughlin, Centennial Elementary
Third Place — Isabella Padilla, Owens Elementary
Honorable Mention — Oliver Patrick, Del Rio Elementary

Earth & Environment
First Place — Callum Roberts, St. Francis Parish
Second Place — Rehna Jhaj, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place — Christian Tomono, St. John’s Lutheran
Honorable Mention — Brynnan Hughes, Douglas J. Miller Elementary

Electronics & Electromagnetics
First Place — Theo Huynh, St. John’s Lutheran
Second Place — Rylie Murphy, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place — Aiden Denison, Zephyr Lane Elementary
Honorable Mention — Zayd Farah, Louise Sandrini Elementary

Materials Science
First Place — Calliope Azimian, St. Francis Parish
Second Place — Zain Cantugan, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
Third Place — Penelope Trigo, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Honorable Mention — Loeb Wilder, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary

Physics & Astronomy
First Place — Graham Taylor, American Elementary
Second Place — Zachary Lee, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Third Place — Eden Basconcillo, Princeton School
Honorable Mention — Braelen Rivas, Nueva Vista Language Academy

Plant Biology
First Place — Frances Perez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Second Place — Edgar Romero, Ramon Garza Elementary
Third Place — Liliana Reyes, Christa A. McAuliffe Elementary
Honorable Mention — Bretta Atiyeh, Stockdale Elementary

Product Science
First Place — Charlize Rodriguez, Stockdale Elementary
Second Place — Madison Flores, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Third Place — Abigail Lange, Mountain View TK-8
Honorable Mention — Melanie Alvarez, Virginia Avenue Elementary

6–8 Grade

Alternative Energy
First Place — Adam Blakie, Saint Ann School
Second Place — Vanshi Shah, Warren Junior High
Third Place — Ella Busby, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Honorable Mention — Dexton Bernal, Valley Oaks Charter School

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place — Johana Gomez & Katelynn Gonzalez, Greenfield Middle School
Second Place — Sebastian Sanchez, Heritage Christian School
Third Place — Alexander Madrigal, Ollivier Middle School

Behavioral & Social Sciences
First Place — Jahari O’Neal, McKee Middle School
Second Place — Yayry Gomez, Ollivier Middle School
Third Place — Camila Uribe, Ollivier Middle School
Honorable Mention — Jayden Gonzalez, Beardsley Junior High

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
First Place — Sanvi Mahajan & Sanay Mahajan, Warren Junior High
Second Place — Jasmine Kaur, Greenfield Middle School
Third Place — Nicola Altavas, St. John’s Lutheran
Honorable Mention — Madelyn Walker, Cato Middle School

Chemistry: General
First Place — Catherine Wahba, St. John’s Lutheran
Second Place — Steven Cerna, Cecil Avenue Math & Science Academy
Third Place — Lilly Jacobs, Beardsley Junior High
Honorable Mention — Parker Hay, St. Francis Parish

Chemistry: Thermal
First Place — Katherine Shenouda, St. John’s Lutheran
Second Place — Adriana Blythe, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Third Place — Millicent Clowes, Central Academy of Arts & Technology

Chemistry: Water
First Place — Champ Smith, Palm Avenue Middle School
Second Place — Sebastian Ramirez, Palm Avenue Middle School
Third Place — Reese Perlman, Buena Vista Elementary
Honorable Mention — Brylee Carter, Del Rio Elementary

Cognitive Science
First Place — Raul Martinez, Ollivier Middle School
Second Place — Aria Cohu & Aurora Moran, Central Academy of Arts & Technology
Third Place — Juliette Galindo, Wonderful College Prep Academy – Lost Hills
Honorable Mention — Sofia Leon, Downtown School

Earth & Environmental Science
First Place — Nathan Ramos-Leal, Owens Elementary
Second Place — Madison Behill, Fruitvale Junior High
Third Place — Alejandro Maldonado, Cecil Avenue Math & Science Academy
Honorable Mention — Manya Ghai, St. John’s Lutheran

Earth & Environmental Science – Air/Water
First Place — Saanvi Narwal, Warren Junior High
Second Place — Nathaniel Dixon & Nicholas Dixon, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place — Khai Laskey, Saint Ann School
Honorable Mention — Joshua Tomono, St. John’s Lutheran

Electronics & Electromagnetics
First Place — Rhett Wyrick, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Second Place — Nicholas Raya, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Third Place — Tanishi Doddapueni, St. John’s Lutheran

Environmental Engineering
First Place — Benson Kim, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Second Place — Tarun Thallapalle, St. John’s Lutheran
Third Place — Avyaan Jain, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Honorable Mention — Jeremy Wu, Warren Junior High

Mammalian Biology
First Place — Avery Minor, St. Francis Parish
Second Place — Briel Gomez, Ollivier Middle School
Third Place — Jayla Aguirre, Downtown School
Honorable Mention — Bently Garrett, Rio Bravo-Greeley

Materials Science
First Place — Praganya Jeyaprassad, Fruitvale Junior High
Second Place — Brooklyn Hardy, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place — Anaya Bhakta, Highgate Elementary School
Honorable Mention — Daleyza Contreras, Myrtle Avenue School

Physics & Astronomy
First Place — Sebastian Mos, St. Francis Parish
Second Place — Khole M. Alvarez, Palm Avenue Middle School
Third Place — Jeremiah Oldenkamp, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Honorable Mention — Ricardo Pena, Greenfield Middle School

Plant Biology
First Place — Marilu Cisneros & Juliette Cantu, Pioneer School
Second Place — Ines Jauregui, Laurelglen Elementary
Third Place — Anahli Vasquez, Pioneer School

Product Science
First Place — Bella Maness, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Second Place — Brooklyn Lewis, Highgate Elementary School
Third Place — Megan Owens, Warren Junior High

Product Science: Food
First Place — Sebastian Ramirez, Pioneer School
Second Place — Jolie Lopez Ramirez & Jaylah Cruz, Almond Tree Middle School
Third Place — Jaqueline Porter, Wallace Middle School
Honorable Mention — Lauraly Jennings, Wayne Van Horn Elementary

Zoology
First Place — Alekha Goldberg, Peak to Peak Mountain Charter
Second Place — Jacob Galvan, Pioneer School
Third Place — Benjamin Briscoe, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Honorable Mention — Pearl Evans, Peak to Peak Mountain Charter

9–12 Grade

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place — Marco Geier-Rodriguez, Centennial High School
Second Place — Isaiah Ocampo & Caleb Cruz, Ridgeview High School
Third Place — Travis Manturano & Francisco Gonzalez, Ridgeview High School

Behavioral & Social Sciences
First Place — Anjali Kakarla, Stockdale High School
Second Place — Serit Dhand & Alexis Allen, Ridgeview High School
Third Place — Mehar Singh, Bakersfield Christian High School
Honorable Mention — Gurleen Toor, Stockdale High School

Biology & Biochemistry
First Place — Saisha Gulati, Stockdale High School
Second Place — Perlla Ghumid, Stockdale High School
Third Place — Harneet Mundi, Ridgeview High School
Honorable Mention — Tejveer Sandhu & Harman Singh, Ridgeview High School

Chemistry
First Place — Tanvi Thallapalle, Stockdale High School
Second Place — Madelyn Evans, Ridgeview High School
Third Place — Jahir Morales, Del Oro High School

Computational Systems & Analysis
First Place — Carlos Sanchez, Bakersfield High School
Second Place — Kate Lin, Stockdale High School
Third Place — Warren Woolf, Valley Oaks Charter School

Computational Systems: Medical
First Place — Simar Singh, Bakersfield Christian High School
Second Place — Shalini Dandamudi, Stockdale High School
Third Place — Ronak Bose, Stockdale High School
Honorable Mention — Cassandra Cornista, Karan Dhillon & Jasmeen Grewal, Ridgeview High School

Environmental Engineering
First Place — Jiya Brar, Stockdale High School
Second Place — Shashank Ramasubramanian, Mithilesh Saravanan & Sri Datta Charepalli, Centennial High School
Third Place — Sidhaan Ranganath, Stockdale High School

Environmental Science
First Place — Archer Serxner, Bakersfield Christian High School
Second Place — William Picato & Nicholas Fiehler, Ridgeview High School
Third Place — Leah Zizo, Ridgeview High School
Honorable Mention — Ushneet Kaur, Ridgeview High School

Physics, Astronomy & Electronics
First Place — Eric Nahama, Bakersfield High School
Second Place — Samrath Singh, Ridgeview High School
Third Place — Manveer Singh, Jiana Invina & Elijah Bopp, Ridgeview High School
Honorable Mention — Prabhsimran Singh & Julian Gonzalez, Ridgeview High School