{"id":205755,"date":"2026-03-05T15:53:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/205755\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:53:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:53:36","slug":"2026-kern-county-regional-science-fair-results-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/205755\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Kern County Regional Science Fair Results Announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tanvi Thallapalle with her senior research project.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve 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,\u201d Thallapalle said. \u201cLast year was his first year, so at least we got to spend two years doing it together.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a global leader in citrus production, yet many families rely on the cheaper, shelf stable option for affordability and convenience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

NASA\u2019s Erin Waggoner gave the morning\u2019s keynote address, talking about her experience as a scientist and engineer. Waggoner is chief of the research aerodynamics and propulsion branch at Nasa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d Waggoner said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat internship experience is really key in helping students decide their career,\u201d she said. \u201cIt takes you out of that academic environment, you get to apply what you\u2019ve learned, and you also get to learn from subject matter experts in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201312.<\/p>\n

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\u201315. 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\u2019s Kern County representatives are Simar Singh of Bakersfield Christian High School and Eric Nahama of Bakersfield High School.<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 Mojave Desert Section, Berry Petroleum Company, and American Petroleum Institute San Joaquin Chapter, Dr. Sumeet Bhinder, CA Energy Renewal Laboratory, and Bonterra.<\/p>\n

The following are the results in each category:<\/p>\n

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place \u2014 Ava Barbosa, Christa A. McAuliffe Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Ollin Cervantes, Mountain View TK-8
Third Place \u2014 Leo Olson, Leo B. Hart Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Emmerson Tovar, John L. Prueitt Elementary<\/p>\n

Behavioral & Cognitive Sciences
First Place \u2014 Mia Marquez, Pioneer Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Talulah Shahan, Laurelglen Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Emerson Galvan, W.A. Kendrick Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Jesse Tatman, Granite Pointe Elementary<\/p>\n

Biology
First Place \u2014 Carly Clark, Orangewood Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Easton Miller, Independence Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Melanie Gonzalez, Ramon Garza Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Josiah Clodfelter, Highland Elementary<\/p>\n

Chemistry
First Place \u2014 William Ruiz, Stine Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Greyson Mattly, Bill L. Williams Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Piper Reel, Golden Hills Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Benjamin Patch, Roy W. Loudon Elementary<\/p>\n

Earth & Environment
First Place \u2014 Jacqueline Navarro Chavez, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Second Place \u2014 Jannella Degamo, Princeton School
Third Place \u2014 Dashel Raguindin, Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Opal Villa, Wallace Elementary<\/p>\n

Electronics & Electromagnetics
First Place \u2014 Robert Ruckman, Orangewood Elementary
Second Place \u2014 David Gallegos, Leo G. Pauly Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Aiden Larimer, Heartland Charter School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Ezekiel Tatum, Almondale Elementary<\/p>\n

Materials Science
First Place \u2014 Dhanyasri Saravanan, Columbia Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Levi Domingues, Endeavour Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Ezra Olivas, Orangewood Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Adam Barboza, Karl F. Clemens Elementary<\/p>\n

Physics & Astronomy
First Place \u2014 Peyton Bridges, Heritage Christian School
Second Place \u2014 Gursansh Gill, Panama Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Kenneth Vargas, Orangewood Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Eva Blakie, Saint Ann School<\/p>\n

Plant Biology
First Place \u2014 Felicity Flynn, American Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Bradley Schwartz, Discovery Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Ariel Robles, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Honorable Mention \u2014 Vivienne Zandes, Valle Verde Elementary<\/p>\n

Product Science
First Place \u2014 Saanvi Vyas, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Penelope Gonzalez, Berkshire Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Eleanor Gatlin, Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary<\/p>\n

Alternative Energy
First Place \u2014 Howard Hyatt, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Second Place \u2014 Addison Hernandez, Panama Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Addysin Chunn, Golden Hills Elementary<\/p>\n

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place \u2014 Sashwath Sathiyaraja, Highgate Elementary School
Second Place \u2014 Eleanor Bazemore, Highgate Elementary School
Third Place \u2014 Titus Price, Heritage Christian School<\/p>\n

Biochemistry & Biology
First Place \u2014 Noah Miranda, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Second Place \u2014 Charleigh Tripp, Highland Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Alexa Villapando, Sunset Middle School<\/p>\n

Chemistry
First Place \u2014 Manseerat Kang, Wonderful College Prep Academy
Second Place \u2014 Corban Warolin, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Third Place \u2014 Esmee Mos, St. Francis Parish
Honorable Mention \u2014 Adam Banuelos, Rafaello Palla Elementary<\/p>\n

Cognitive Science
First Place \u2014 Niel Goyal, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Second Place \u2014 Adelyn McLaughlin, Centennial Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Isabella Padilla, Owens Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Oliver Patrick, Del Rio Elementary<\/p>\n

Earth & Environment
First Place \u2014 Callum Roberts, St. Francis Parish
Second Place \u2014 Rehna Jhaj, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place \u2014 Christian Tomono, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Honorable Mention \u2014 Brynnan Hughes, Douglas J. Miller Elementary<\/p>\n

Electronics & Electromagnetics
First Place \u2014 Theo Huynh, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Second Place \u2014 Rylie Murphy, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place \u2014 Aiden Denison, Zephyr Lane Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Zayd Farah, Louise Sandrini Elementary<\/p>\n

Materials Science
First Place \u2014 Calliope Azimian, St. Francis Parish
Second Place \u2014 Zain Cantugan, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Penelope Trigo, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Honorable Mention \u2014 Loeb Wilder, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary<\/p>\n

Physics & Astronomy
First Place \u2014 Graham Taylor, American Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Zachary Lee, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Eden Basconcillo, Princeton School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Braelen Rivas, Nueva Vista Language Academy<\/p>\n

Plant Biology
First Place \u2014 Frances Perez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Second Place \u2014 Edgar Romero, Ramon Garza Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Liliana Reyes, Christa A. McAuliffe Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Bretta Atiyeh, Stockdale Elementary<\/p>\n

Product Science
First Place \u2014 Charlize Rodriguez, Stockdale Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Madison Flores, Del Vista Math & Science Academy
Third Place \u2014 Abigail Lange, Mountain View TK-8
Honorable Mention \u2014 Melanie Alvarez, Virginia Avenue Elementary<\/p>\n

Alternative Energy
First Place \u2014 Adam Blakie, Saint Ann School
Second Place \u2014 Vanshi Shah, Warren Junior High
Third Place \u2014 Ella Busby, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Honorable Mention \u2014 Dexton Bernal, Valley Oaks Charter School<\/p>\n

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place \u2014 Johana Gomez & Katelynn Gonzalez, Greenfield Middle School
Second Place \u2014 Sebastian Sanchez, Heritage Christian School
Third Place \u2014 Alexander Madrigal, Ollivier Middle School<\/p>\n

Behavioral & Social Sciences
First Place \u2014 Jahari O\u2019Neal, McKee Middle School
Second Place \u2014 Yayry Gomez, Ollivier Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Camila Uribe, Ollivier Middle School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Jayden Gonzalez, Beardsley Junior High<\/p>\n

Biochemistry\/Molecular Biology
First Place \u2014 Sanvi Mahajan & Sanay Mahajan, Warren Junior High
Second Place \u2014 Jasmine Kaur, Greenfield Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Nicola Altavas, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Honorable Mention \u2014 Madelyn Walker, Cato Middle School<\/p>\n

Chemistry: General
First Place \u2014 Catherine Wahba, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Second Place \u2014 Steven Cerna, Cecil Avenue Math & Science Academy
Third Place \u2014 Lilly Jacobs, Beardsley Junior High
Honorable Mention \u2014 Parker Hay, St. Francis Parish<\/p>\n

Chemistry: Thermal
First Place \u2014 Katherine Shenouda, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Second Place \u2014 Adriana Blythe, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Millicent Clowes, Central Academy of Arts & Technology<\/p>\n

Chemistry: Water
First Place \u2014 Champ Smith, Palm Avenue Middle School
Second Place \u2014 Sebastian Ramirez, Palm Avenue Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Reese Perlman, Buena Vista Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Brylee Carter, Del Rio Elementary<\/p>\n

Cognitive Science
First Place \u2014 Raul Martinez, Ollivier Middle School
Second Place \u2014 Aria Cohu & Aurora Moran, Central Academy of Arts & Technology
Third Place \u2014 Juliette Galindo, Wonderful College Prep Academy \u2013 Lost Hills
Honorable Mention \u2014 Sofia Leon, Downtown School<\/p>\n

Earth & Environmental Science
First Place \u2014 Nathan Ramos-Leal, Owens Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Madison Behill, Fruitvale Junior High
Third Place \u2014 Alejandro Maldonado, Cecil Avenue Math & Science Academy
Honorable Mention \u2014 Manya Ghai, St. John\u2019s Lutheran<\/p>\n

Earth & Environmental Science \u2013 Air\/Water
First Place \u2014 Saanvi Narwal, Warren Junior High
Second Place \u2014 Nathaniel Dixon & Nicholas Dixon, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place \u2014 Khai Laskey, Saint Ann School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Joshua Tomono, St. John\u2019s Lutheran<\/p>\n

Electronics & Electromagnetics
First Place \u2014 Rhett Wyrick, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Second Place \u2014 Nicholas Raya, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Tanishi Doddapueni, St. John\u2019s Lutheran<\/p>\n

Environmental Engineering
First Place \u2014 Benson Kim, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Second Place \u2014 Tarun Thallapalle, St. John\u2019s Lutheran
Third Place \u2014 Avyaan Jain, Ronald Reagan Elementary
Honorable Mention \u2014 Jeremy Wu, Warren Junior High<\/p>\n

Mammalian Biology
First Place \u2014 Avery Minor, St. Francis Parish
Second Place \u2014 Briel Gomez, Ollivier Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Jayla Aguirre, Downtown School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Bently Garrett, Rio Bravo-Greeley<\/p>\n

Materials Science
First Place \u2014 Praganya Jeyaprassad, Fruitvale Junior High
Second Place \u2014 Brooklyn Hardy, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Third Place \u2014 Anaya Bhakta, Highgate Elementary School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Daleyza Contreras, Myrtle Avenue School<\/p>\n

Physics & Astronomy
First Place \u2014 Sebastian Mos, St. Francis Parish
Second Place \u2014 Khole M. Alvarez, Palm Avenue Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Jeremiah Oldenkamp, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Honorable Mention \u2014 Ricardo Pena, Greenfield Middle School<\/p>\n

Plant Biology
First Place \u2014 Marilu Cisneros & Juliette Cantu, Pioneer School
Second Place \u2014 Ines Jauregui, Laurelglen Elementary
Third Place \u2014 Anahli Vasquez, Pioneer School<\/p>\n

Product Science
First Place \u2014 Bella Maness, Rio Bravo-Greeley
Second Place \u2014 Brooklyn Lewis, Highgate Elementary School
Third Place \u2014 Megan Owens, Warren Junior High<\/p>\n

Product Science: Food
First Place \u2014 Sebastian Ramirez, Pioneer School
Second Place \u2014 Jolie Lopez Ramirez & Jaylah Cruz, Almond Tree Middle School
Third Place \u2014 Jaqueline Porter, Wallace Middle School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Lauraly Jennings, Wayne Van Horn Elementary<\/p>\n

Zoology
First Place \u2014 Alekha Goldberg, Peak to Peak Mountain Charter
Second Place \u2014 Jacob Galvan, Pioneer School
Third Place \u2014 Benjamin Briscoe, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Honorable Mention \u2014 Pearl Evans, Peak to Peak Mountain Charter<\/p>\n

9\u201312 Grade <\/p>\n

Applied Mechanics & Structures
First Place \u2014 Marco Geier-Rodriguez, Centennial High School
Second Place \u2014 Isaiah Ocampo & Caleb Cruz, Ridgeview High School
Third Place \u2014 Travis Manturano & Francisco Gonzalez, Ridgeview High School<\/p>\n

Behavioral & Social Sciences
First Place \u2014 Anjali Kakarla, Stockdale High School
Second Place \u2014 Serit Dhand & Alexis Allen, Ridgeview High School
Third Place \u2014 Mehar Singh, Bakersfield Christian High School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Gurleen Toor, Stockdale High School<\/p>\n

Biology & Biochemistry
First Place \u2014 Saisha Gulati, Stockdale High School
Second Place \u2014 Perlla Ghumid, Stockdale High School
Third Place \u2014 Harneet Mundi, Ridgeview High School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Tejveer Sandhu & Harman Singh, Ridgeview High School<\/p>\n

Chemistry
First Place \u2014 Tanvi Thallapalle, Stockdale High School
Second Place \u2014 Madelyn Evans, Ridgeview High School
Third Place \u2014 Jahir Morales, Del Oro High School<\/p>\n

Computational Systems & Analysis
First Place \u2014 Carlos Sanchez, Bakersfield High School
Second Place \u2014 Kate Lin, Stockdale High School
Third Place \u2014 Warren Woolf, Valley Oaks Charter School<\/p>\n

Computational Systems: Medical
First Place \u2014 Simar Singh, Bakersfield Christian High School
Second Place \u2014 Shalini Dandamudi, Stockdale High School
Third Place \u2014 Ronak Bose, Stockdale High School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Cassandra Cornista, Karan Dhillon & Jasmeen Grewal, Ridgeview High School<\/p>\n

Environmental Engineering
First Place \u2014 Jiya Brar, Stockdale High School
Second Place \u2014 Shashank Ramasubramanian, Mithilesh Saravanan & Sri Datta Charepalli, Centennial High School
Third Place \u2014 Sidhaan Ranganath, Stockdale High School<\/p>\n

Environmental Science
First Place \u2014 Archer Serxner, Bakersfield Christian High School
Second Place \u2014 William Picato & Nicholas Fiehler, Ridgeview High School
Third Place \u2014 Leah Zizo, Ridgeview High School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Ushneet Kaur, Ridgeview High School<\/p>\n

Physics, Astronomy & Electronics
First Place \u2014 Eric Nahama, Bakersfield High School
Second Place \u2014 Samrath Singh, Ridgeview High School
Third Place \u2014 Manveer Singh, Jiana Invina & Elijah Bopp, Ridgeview High School
Honorable Mention \u2014 Prabhsimran Singh & Julian Gonzalez, Ridgeview High School<\/p>\n

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