Student registration for the 2025 fair is now open

Registration for the 2025 Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair is now open. Project registration is done on our STEM Wizard page at:  https://mcsf.stemwizard.com. Teachers should register for a teacher account before their students register.

2025 Registration Deadlines:

  • 2/11/25: for projects that require SRC or IRB pre-approval (see note below)
  • 2/19/25: for all other projects
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Projects that use live vertebrate animals, recombinant DNA, human or animal tissue, pathogenic agents, or controlled substances need pre-approval by the SRC. Projects that have human participants (including surveys or any measurement done on the researcher) need pre-approval by the IRB. The DEADLINE for requesting this review is February 11, 2025. See the Scientific Review Committee page for more information

What’s NEW for the 2025 Fair:

NEW LOCATION:  The 2025 fair will be held at WSU Tri-Cities (2710 Crimson Way, Richland WA).  Visit the schedule page for more information.

We’re on Facebook and Instagram! Follow us at midcolumbiasciencefair 

Rules Update: We have two rule updates.  See the Rules page for all the fair rules.

  1. NEW Rule on Ethics and Use of AI: Honesty is expected during every phase of the project.  Your science project must be your own work. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) may NOT be used to design your experiment, write any part of your project, or create your display.  Your project must not include fraudulent data, plagiarism, or inappropriate use of AI.
  2. NEW ISEF RULE about Project Changes: After competing at your Regional Fair, projects may not be changed for WSSEF or ISEF.  You MAY collect additional data using the SAME methodology that was approved by your regional fair and/or update your project display with additional data analysis  

Example Forms: We’ve added more directions and examples of the ISEF forms required for all projects on the Scientific Review Committee page.

New Milestones: You’ll see two new milestones in STEM Wizard this year:

  1. IRB – Human Participants This is to help students with human participant projects enter all the information required by ISEF.  
  2. Project Board PDF – In this milestone, you’ll upload either a picture or PDF of your project board.  This will be used for some Special Awards judging.

Please let us know if you have any questions.  We look forward to seeing your project at this year’s fair!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Student registration for the 2025 fair is now open

Two MCSF students named as American Junior Academy of Sciences delegates!

Congratulations to Isabella Pinto and Nicole Samaan, both from Hanford High School, who were recently named as delegates to the American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS)! Isabella and Nicole will now travel with the other Washington State delegates on an expenses-paid trip to attend the 2025 AJAS conference, which will be held in Boston, Massachusetts.

The American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) is a program of National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) to recognize American high school students for outstanding scientific research. The Washington State Academy of Sciences nominates students to serve as AJAS delegates representing Washington State at the annual AJAS conference. This program is meant to recognize talented young scientists and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM fields. Learn more about AJAS and see the full list of Washington State delegates at: https://washacad.org/washington-state-american-junior-academy-of-sciences-delegates/

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Two MCSF students named as American Junior Academy of Sciences delegates!

NEW Project In A Box Program!

Attention 6th Grade Science Teachers – the Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair is launching a new program this year to introduce your 6th graders to the science fair and the process of completing an inquiry-based science project. Please see the flyer below for more information. Contact us if you have any questions.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on NEW Project In A Box Program!

MCSF Student Named a Top 300 Junior Innovator!

Congratulations to Rohan Nune for being named one of the top 300 middle school innovators in the Thermo-Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge! Rohan was selected from the nearly 2,000 students from 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands who entered the contest. Rohan was nominated to enter the Thermo Fisher JIC by both the Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair and the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair.

Rohan completed his project, “Powering the Future: Iron-Based Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage”, while he was an 8th grader at Leona Libby Middle School in West Richland. Each of the Top 300 Junior Innovators will receive a $125 award from DoD STEM, plus a prize package that includes a one-year subscription to Wolfram Mathematica software, courtesy of Wolfram Research.

He is now in the running to be one of the top 30 finalists chosen to compete for more than $100,000 in awards and prizes. Finalists will be announced September 18. Best of luck Rohan!

You can learn more about the Thermo-Fisher JIC on the Society for Science website.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on MCSF Student Named a Top 300 Junior Innovator!

2024 Genius Olympiad

GENIUS (Global Environmental Issues and Us) Olympiad was held at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York  June 11-14, 2024.  The GENIUS Olympiad promotes a global understanding  of environmental issues through science, arts, creative writing, engineering, design and business development.   It is an international competition.  367 science projects out of 1014 submissions were accepted.  Students from 65 countries and 33 states submitted projects.  

Claire Sheehan (from Sunnyside High School) and Prayrona Chowdhury (from Hanford High School) won the award to compete at the 2024 GENIUS Olympiad from the Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair was also represented by Rohan Nune (who be a student at Hanford High School this fall). Rohan applied the camp scholarship funds he was awarded by MCSF to attend the GENIUS Olympiad. He was planning to attend as an Observer, but the contest organizers accepted his project to compete!

All three students won awards for their projects at the GENIUS Olympiad! Congratulations to Rohan for winning a bronze medal, to Claire for winning a Silver medal and to Prayrona for winning a Gold medal!

Prayrona Chowdhury’s project, “AquaScope: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Multimodal AI in Diagnosing Water Quality Based on Environmental Context, Sensor Data and Visual Assessments” won a gold medal at the GENIUS Olympiad.

Claire Sheehan’s project, ” Which form of biodegradable hydrogel will help conserve irrigation water in the farming industry?” won a silver medal at the GENIUS Olympiad.

Rohan Nune’s project, “Powering the Future: Iron-Based Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage” won a bronze medal at the GENIUS Olympiad.

Learn more about the GENIUS Olympiad at: https://geniusolympiad.org.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 2024 Genius Olympiad

Regeneron ISEF 2024

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Mid-Columbia Science and Engineering Fair was able to send three students (Advaitha Motkuri, Isabella Pinto, and Matthew Yao) to present their projects at the 2024 Regeneron ISEF, as well as a student observer (Prayrona Choudhury). The 2024 ISEF was held in Los Angeles, CA. Learn more about Advaitha, Isabella, and Matthew’s projects below:

A Eye Intelligence: The Future of Disease Detection Through the Eyes

Advaitha Motkuri, Richland High School, Richland , grade 11

How Magnetically suspended tires Utilizing High Temperature Superconductivity and Electromagnetism Creates the Most Eco-Friendly Vehicle

Isabella Pinto, Hanford High School, Richland, grade 11

Isabella won the Office of Naval Research award of $15,000 for her project!  

Tactron: A Low-Cost Tactile Graphics Display

Matthew (Jerry) Yao, Walla Walla High School, Walla Walla, grade 11

Matthew won a 4th Grand Award of $500 for his project!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Regeneron ISEF 2024

Mid-Columbia Students win Special Awards at WSSEF

Several Mid-Columbia students presented their projects at the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) in early April. Congratulations to the following students who won Special Awards at the 2024 WSSEF:

High School WSSEF Special Awards

AFCEA ~ PNW Chapter Excellence in Technology Award: Nicole Samaan

American Chemical Society – Puget Sound Section Award: Ricardo Fuentes Rios

Bonneville Power Administration Achievement Award: Nicole Samaan

Bremerton Central Lions Charitable Foundation Scholarship: Advaitha Motkuri

Cascadia Institute of Food Technologists Award: Yasmin Ceja Fajardo

GENIUS Olympiad – International Project Fair on the Environment: Navaj Nune

Navy League of the U.S. Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council STEM Award: Nicole Samaan

Norman E. Borlaug Excellence in Sustainability Award: Owen Rothwell

Office of Naval Research – Naval Science Award: Isabella Pinto

Ohio Wesleyen University – Outstanding Achievement in Science Scholarship: Isabella Pinto

Olympic College – Excellence in STEM Awards: Isabella Pinto, Owen Rothwell

Plant Sciences Achievement Award: Aashrita Bhamidimarri

Ricoh Sustainable Development Award: Claire Sheehan

U.S. Army Awards for Outstanding STEM Accomplishments: Isabella Pinto

USAID Science Champion Award: Nicole Samaan

Washington State University – Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture Scholarship: Isabella Pinto

Yale Science and Engineering Association Award for Most Outstanding Exhibit: Isabella Pinto

Middle School WSSEF Special Awards:

Excellence in the Chemical Sciences Award: Rohan Nune

Environmental Science Research Award: Sophia Samaan

Margaret I Lugg Young Explorer Award: Rohan Nune

Museum of Flight ‘Sights of Flight’ Award: Royal Anda

Navy League of the US Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council STEM Award: Samuel Wang

Office of Naval Research (ONR) ~ U.S. Navy & U.S. Marine STEM Award: Samuel Wang

Thermo Fisher Scientific ~ Advancing Equity Through Innovation Award: Akshath Motkuri

Thermo Fisher Scientific ~ Junior Innovator Challenge (JIC) Nomination: Chloe Custodio, Akshath Motkuri, Rohan Nune

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Mid-Columbia Students win Special Awards at WSSEF

Mid-Columbia Student First Place Awards at WSSEF!

Several Mid-Columbia students presented their projects at the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair in early April. Congratulations to the following students who won 1st place awards for their work:

High School:

LuisAlvarez9Do Organic and Non-organic potatoes have the same nutrients?
AashritaBhamidimarri10Controlling Agricultural Pollution: ‘Root’ for Success
PrayronaChoudhury9AquaScope: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Multimodal AI in Diagnosing Water Quality Based on Environmental Context, Sensor Data and Visual Assessments
NoahCollyer9How do different types of homemade fertilizer affect a plants growth and soils health.
CadeMears9How much bacteria can find in Dairy water troughs?
AdvaithaMotkuri11A Eye Intelligence: The Future of Disease Detection Through the Eyes
NavajNune11A Comprehensive Evaluation of AI Frameworks for Accurate Object Detection and Enumeration of Visual Data for Environmental Remediation
IsabellaPinto11How Magnetically Suspended Tires Utilizing High-Temperature Superconductivity and Electromagnetism Creates the Most Eco-Friendly Vehicle
OwenRothwell9Comparing Recycled Soda Bottle PET Plastic 3D Printing Filament Created With a Homemade Pultrusion Machine vs. Commercial New Material PETG Filament
NicoleSamaan11Microgrid Optimization: The Future of Efficient, Reliable, and Autonomous Renewable Energy
ClaireSheehan11Which form of biodegradable hydrogels will help conserve irrigation water in the farming industry?
AylinSosa11How do additives affect a non-newtonian fluid?
SrithanThallapally10Rethinking Waste! Bioplastics from Banana Peels!
MarisabelZarazua Gomez12How do different vibration frequencies affect Nematoda and Annelida behavior?
JoslinZurita11How does ultraviolet radiation affect the amount of bacteria on synthetic skin substitutes?

Middle School:

ChloeCustodio7Can Laundry Greywater be Reused for Hydroponics?
TheodoreMaier7The Best Shape for Ice Stupas
AkshathMotkuri8Nail Ninja AI: Detecting Disorders Digitally
RohanNune8Powering the Future: Iron-Based Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage
SamuelWang7Sonic Fire Suppression: Investigating the Impact of Low-Frequency Waves to Revolutionize Fire Mitigation
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Mid-Columbia Student First Place Awards at WSSEF!

2024 MCSF Awards

The full list of MCSF Fair Awards and Special Awards is now posted at: https://midcolumbiasciencefair.org/2024-awards/. Congratulations to all the award winners! Thank you to MCSF’s many sponsors who make these awards possible!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 2024 MCSF Awards

Awards Ceremony is Saturday March 9

The MCSF Awards Ceremony is Saturday March 9 from 1-4:30pm at the Chief Joseph MS Auditorium. The school is located at 504 Wilson St. in Richland. This year’s speaker is Dan Gerhards, President of the Tri-Cities Astronomy Club. If weather permits, TCAC volunteers will have solar telescopes set up outside the auditorium for sunspot viewing. We hope you can join us and learn who has won awards at this year’s fair!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Awards Ceremony is Saturday March 9