MCSF Awards
6th Grade Division
| Lillian | Fulsom | Carmichael Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Brynn | Lenz | Christ The King School | Honorable Mention |
| Emily | Hanks | Carmichael Middle School | Third Place |
| Lily | Stout | Chief Joseph Middle School | Third Place |
| Leah | Nguyen | Christ The King School | Second Place |
| Prayrona | Choudhury | Sagebrush Elementary School – 6th | First Place |
| Owen | Rothwell | Leona Libby Middle School | First Place |
7th Grade Division
| Taha | Haque | Carmichael Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Alyhs | Willette | Carmichael Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Paula | Peredo | Christ The King School | Third Place |
| Srithan | Thallapally | Leona Libby Middle School | Third Place |
| Morgan | Brendel | Christ The King School | Second Place |
| Ananya | Gubba | Enterprise Middle School | Second Place |
| Caetlyn | Kovis | Christ The King School | First Place |
8th Grade Division
| Sheila | Dehkordi | Carmichael Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Emma | Miller | Chief Joseph Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Isabelle | Vetter | Carmichael Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Mariposa | Fulsom | Carmichael Middle School | Third Place |
| Advaitha | Motkuri | Leona Libby Middle School | Third Place |
| Nicole | Samaan | Christ The King School | Third Place |
| Ethan | Gotthold | Richland Virtual School | Second Place |
| Navaj | Nune | Leona Libby Middle School | First Place |
9th Grade Division
| Caden | Condie | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Kaiden | Frank | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Olivia | Mears | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Sami | Mendoza | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Rilee | Murray | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Nayeli | Espinoza | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Elijah | Wise | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Ruth | Wise-Maldonado | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Mia | Dang | Sunnyside High School | Second Place |
| Patrick | Kovis | Tri-Cities Prep | Second Place |
| Flor | Solis | Sunnyside High School | First Place |
Senior Division
| Maria | Herrera | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Joshua | Oliver | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Celeste | Vergara-Borges | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Jenna | Barger | Richland High School | Third Place |
| Sankar | Harilal | Hanford High School | Third Place |
| Jessica | Marin | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Augustin | Dulauroy | Hanford High School | Second Place |
| Jared | Sheehan | Sunnyside High School | Second Place |
| Emil | Miller | West Valley High School | First Place |
| Nikhita | Bontha | Hanford High School | Grand Prize |
| Anika | Halappanavar | Richland High School | Grand Prize |
| Daniel | Li | Hanford High School | Grand Prize |
Grand Prize winners will now participate in the Regeneron ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair), which is being held as a virtual fair this year.
Special Awards
U.S. Military
We thank those serving in our United States military. Today we have awards provided by the United States Air Force; and the Office of Naval Research, which supports both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
US Air Force
The US Air Force provided a US Air Force Certificate of Achievement. The winner of the US Air Force Award is:
Morgan Brendel, Christ the King, United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement
Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research, on behalf of the U.S Navy and Marine Corps, supports the Regional Science Fair. Each winning student receives a certificate of achievement, letter of congratulation, and medallion. Additionally, the two winners from the Senior Division must submit an on-line award verification form, within 30 days of the fair to receive a $50.00 e-card educational recognition award. The winners of the Office of Naval Research awards are:
Lily Stout, Chief Joseph Middle School, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Advaitha Motkuri, Leona Libby Middle School, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Jenna Barger, Richland High School, Office of Naval Research Senior Award
Joshua Oliver, Sunnyside High School, Office of Naval Research Senior Award
Agriculture Awards
Agriculture is an important industry in the mid-Columbia. The following projects involving plant science were awarded:
Ronaldo Alvarez, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Emily Islas, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Kaiden Frank, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Jared Sheehan, Sunnyside High School, Distinguished Project
American Chemical Society
Founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress, the American Chemical Society is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations with more than 155,000 members in 150 countries. ACS mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people. The ACS vision is to improve people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry.
Nicole Samaan, Christ the King School, Karen Grant Memorial Excellence in Chemistry Award
Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Karen Grant Memorial Excellence in Chemistry Award
Columbia Chapter Health Physics Society
The Columbia Chapter of the Health Physics Society is a professional organization whose members are specialists in radiation safety. These Health Physicists are dedicated to maximizing the beneficial use of radiation while minimizing the risk to people and the environment. This year’s winners of awards from CCHPS are:
Lily Stout, Chief Joseph Middle School, Middle School Award
Jenna Barger, Richland High School, High School Award
Creative Application
This award will be for the project that best represents creative application to the real world. This year’s winners are:
Lance Miller, Chief Joseph Middle School, Honorable Mention
Owen Rothwell, Leona Libby Middle School, Honorable Mention
Ethan Gotthold, Richland Virtual School, Best Creative Application
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Columbia River Professional Chapter (CRPC)
Founded in 1977, the AISES is a non-profit organization whose goal is to substantially increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in science, technology, engineering, math and other related disciplines. The CRPC, founded in 1991, supports these national goals, while working at the local and regional level. This year’s award winners from AISES, CRPC are:
Gigi DeMartino, Homeschool, Commendable
Haley Rodriguez, Sunnyside High School, Exemplary
NASA Earth System Science Award
Earth system science is the study of the complex system and the interconnections that occur on Earth. The Earth system is made up of many different components that interact in complex ways. When one part of that system is altered, the other parts of the system are affected. This year’s winner of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth System Science Award is:
Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, NASA Earth System Science Award
YALE
Yale Science and Engineering Association, Inc. provides an award for Most Outstanding 11th Grade Exhibit in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. This year’s winner is:
Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School
Ricoh Corporation
Ricoh Corporation presents the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award presented to the student whose research has demonstrated the Principles and Technical Innovations that offer the greatest potential for Sustainable Development. This year’s winner is:
Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, Ricoh Sustainable Development Award
Tri-City Astronomy Club
Tri-City Astronomy Club recognizes projects related to astronomy. This year’s winner is:
Jenna Barger, Richland High School, Astronomy Award
Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society, presents the Mu Alpha Theta Award for the project that demonstrates the most challenging, original, thorough, and creative investigation of a problem involving mathematics accessible to a high school student. This year’s winner is:
Nikhita, Bontha, Hanford High School
STEM Enthusiast
The STEM Enthusiast awards recognize middle school projects that best demonstrate students’ creativity and innovation in exploring the world around them. This year’s winners are:
Lillian Fulsom, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Jared MacDonald, Chief Joseph Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Isabelle Vetter, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Alyhs Willette, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines. Founded in 1889 by a small group of leading industries, ASME has grown through the decades to include more than 120,000 members in over 140 countries around the globe. Winners of this year’s ASME awards are:
Jenna Barger,, Richland High School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Sankar Harilal, Hanford High School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Jared MacDonald, Chief Joseph Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Alyhs Willette, Carmichael Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
SEAW, South Central Chapter
Established in 1995 by a small but diligent group of Central Washington engineers, South Central Chapter’s members hail from a wide geographic area which includes Wenatchee, Yakima, Sunnyside, Tri-Cities, and Walla Walla. This year’s winner of the AEAW Achievement in Structural Engineering Award is:
Owen Rothwell, Leona Libby Middle School, Achievement in Structural Engineering
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering (and associated disciplines). IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE award winners are:
Emily Hanks, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Lily Stout, Chief Joseph Middle School, Top 6th Grade Project
Ananya Gubba, Enterprise Middle School, Top 7th Grade Project
Jared MacDonald, Chief Joseph Middle School, Top 8th Grade Project
Patrick Kovis, Tri-Cities Prep, Top 9th Grade Project
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School, Honorable Mention
Sankar Harilal, Hanford High School, Honorable Mention
Daniel Li, Hanford High School, Honorable Mention
Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Top Senior Category Project
Institute of Nuclear Material Management
We are the Institute of Nuclear Material Management, Pacific Northwest Chapter. Our official slogan states, “We are dedicated to the safe, secure and effective stewardship of nuclear materials and related technologies through the advancement of scientific knowledge, technical skills, policy dialogue, professional capabilities, and best practices.” But put more simply, we exist because the power of the atom demands that we exist. How does Spiderman state it? “…with great power comes great responsibility…” Well that’s what we’re all about. The power of the atom is the most abundant energy source known to humankind – it powers the sun! But that kind of power creates problems – safety, security, and environmental waste. We have to do it right, and the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management is all about doing nuclear the right way. With that in mind, we want to award a project that not only does great science, but ensures it’s done the right way – with safety, security, and environmental stewardship in mind from start to finish.
Patrick Kovis, Tri-Cities Prep, INMM-PNW Honorable Mention
Lily Stout, Chief Joseph Middle School , INMM-PNW Honorable Mention
Srithan Thallapally, Leona Libby Middle School, INMM-PNW award
Inspiring Excellence, Inc.
Inspiring Excellence, Inc. supports science fair students with awards for demonstrating excellence. Excellence is displayed by the following traits: interest, desire, enthusiasm, perseverance, diligence, scholarship, and a positive attitude. The following students are recognized for excellence in their chosen project:
Lillian Fulsom, Carmichael Middle School
Maria Herrera, Sunnyside High School
Olivia Mears, Sunnyside High School
Sami Mendoza, Sunnyside High School
Isabelle Vetter, Carmichael Middle School
Alyhs Willette, Carmichael Middle School
Inspiring Excellence, Inc., also wishes to recognize a teacher who inspires their students to reach excellence. This year’s teacher inspiring excellence is:
Theresa Alvarez Ziegler, Sunnyside High School
Computer Science Award
In presenting this award, our judges hope to encourage increased participation in computer science, one of today’s fastest growing fields, and an important source of innovation for the 21st century. The winner of the Computer Science Award will receive an Award certificate and a $100 cash award.
Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Computer Science Award
U.S. Metric Association
The U.S. Metric Association provides one award for the Best use of SI, the International System of Units, in a science fair project. This year’s winner is:
Jared Sheehan, Sunnyside High School, Best use of SI, The International System of Units, in a Science Fair Project
Washington State Science and Engineering Fair
The Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) provided one award for Outstanding Research Based Project Achievement. The award recipient receives a complementary registration fee to the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair and a complementary t-shirt while attending the fair.
Flor Solis, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding research-based project achievement award
GENIUS Olympiad
Rochester Institute of Technology and the Terra Science and Education, Inc., have sponsored the Exceptional Genius Award to honor projects that display excellent work on environment. The exceptional Genius Award grants the student participation in the Global Environmental Issues Project (GENIUS) Olympiad to be held virtually this year, between June 15th and 20th, 2020, without pre-screening. Winners of the Exceptional Genius Award are:
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School, Exceptional Genius Award
Patrick Kovis, Tri-Cities Prep, Exceptional Genius Award
Jenna Barger, Richland High School, Exceptional Genius Award (Alternate)
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association has provided an award for outstanding research in psychological science under the category of behavioral and social sciences or any category related to psychology. This year’s winner is:
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School, Achievement in Research in Psychological Science
American Nuclear Society
This year’s winner of a $1000 scholarship is:
Joshua Oliver, Sunnyside High School
Society for Invitro Biology (SIVB)
The Society for In Vitro Biology provided an award for the most outstanding 11th grade project exhibiting in the area of plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture. This year’s winner is:
Sankar Harilal, Hanford High School, Outstanding Achievement for Ability and Creativity in In Vitro Biology
Association for Women Geoscientists
The Association for Women Geoscientists award is presented to the female student whose project exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences. This year’s winner is:
Advaitha Motkuri, Leona Libby Middle School, Outstanding Project
American Meteorological Society:
The American Meteorological Society presents a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for excellence in atmospheric or related sciences. This year’s winners are:
Emily Hanks, Carmichael Middle School, Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for excellence in atmospheric or related sciences
Elijah Wise, Sunnyside High School, Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for excellence in atmospheric or related sciences
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award of Excellence for a water related science research project goes to winning projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resource management, or water and wastewater treatment. This year’s MCSF winners of Stockholm Junior Water Prize Awards of Excellence for a water-related science research project are:
Kaiden Frank, Sunnyside High School
Olivia Mears, Sunnyside High School
Elijah Wise, Sunnyside High School
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided NOAA’s 2021 “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” award. This award is presented to the student whose research has demonstrated the principles and technical innovations that offer the greatest potential for an improved understanding of the Earth’s dynamic processes. This year’s winner is:
Prayrona Choudhury, Sagebrush Elementary School, Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award
Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society
The Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society provides an award for students that contribute to the understanding and advancement of natural sciences that enhance the avian environment. This year’s winners are:
Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School, Avian Conservation
Taha Haque, Carmichael Middle School, Avian Flight
ASM Materials Education Foundation
AMS Materials Education Foundation provides an award to the Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science. This year’s winner is:
Patrick Kovis, Tri-Cities Prep, Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science
Sigma Xi, Tri-Cities Chapter
Sigma Xi, Tri-Cities Chapter provides awards for the projects that demonstrate the best use of the Scientific Method. This year’s winners are:
Augustin Dulauroy, Hanford High School, Best Use of the Scientific Method
Sankar Harilal, Hanford High School, Best Use of the Scientific Method
Joshua Oliver, Sunnyside High School, Best Use of the Scientific Method
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Society of Women Engineers takes a very active role in encouraging young women to investigate technical career paths. Best Female Science Project winners are:
Prayrona Choudhury, Sagebrush Elementary School, honorable mention
Emily Hanks, Carmichael Middle School, 6th grade winner
Morgan Brendel, Christ the King School, honorable mention
Paula Peredo, Christ the King School, 7th grade winner
Nicole, Samaan, Christ the King School, honorable mention
Advaitha Motkuri, Leona Libby Middle School, 8th grade winner
Marisabel Zarazua, Sunnyside High School, honorable mention
Jessica Marin, Sunnyside High School, 9th-10th grade winner
Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School, honorable mention
Hennessy Rodriguez, Sunnyside High School, 11th-12th grade winner
The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize
For the development of an outstanding invention exhibited at a Society for the Science & Public Science-Affiliated Science and Engineering Fair. The prize includes a $100 award for a 6th – 8th grade inventor.
This year’s winner is:
Prayrona Choudhury, Sagebrush Elementary School, outstanding invention
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The United States Agency for International Development provided the Science Champion Award for scientific excellence and using science innovatively to create a potential solution to international development challenges. This year’s winner is:
Patrick Kovis, Tri-Cities Prep, Science Champion Award
Broadcom MASTERS Nominees
The Broadcom MASTERS® (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), is the national competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who participate in affiliated fairs. The top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participants have been selected for this honor. Each nominee needs to complete an online application to continue in the national competition and be eligible for valuable prizes and awards. The online entry must be submitted by the June 9, 2021 deadline to enter the next phase of the competition. This year’s nominees are:
Prayrona Choudhury, Sagebrush Elementary
Ethan Gotthold, Richland Virtual School
Ananya Gubba, Enterprise Middle School
Caetlyn Kovis, Christ the King School
Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School
Owen Rothwell, Leona Libby Middle School
Sivaraman Award
The Sivaraman Award is to recognize creativity, hard work, perseverance, and the ability to take risks – attributes needed to solve the most pressing problems in the world. This year’s winners are:
Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Sivaraman Award
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School, Sivaraman Award
Daniel Li, Hanford High School, Sivaraman Award