On Thursday, January 25, nearly 100 students from across Tulsa and Creek counties participated in the Tulsa Regional Science Fair, sponsored and hosted by The University of Tulsa. Participants competed in two divisions: Junior Division (7-9 grade) and Senior Division (10-12 grade.) More than 65 STEM professionals and community members volunteered to make this experience possible.
Over $1,000 in cash prizes were awarded to outstanding projects from professional societies and sponsors. Twenty projects were selected to go to the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair (OSSEF) in March 2024. The top two projects will receive funding for an all-expense-paid trip to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May 2024.
There was also a STEM Career Panel where students asked questions to hear about real life career experiences. This was hosted by Erin Iski, a chemistry and biology professor at The University of Tulsa (TU). The speakers were Chad Brown (Ramsey Industries), Jordan Masterson (Boeing), Jyoti Iyer (TU), and Dr. Katie Mika (TU).
Congratulations to the winners and everyone who participated!
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Category Awards
Junior Division
Behavioral Neurosciences
| First Place | Mia S. Grade 7, University School Somewhere over the Brainbow |
| Second Place | Hudson Hale Grade 7, University School Eye see different |
| Third Place | Alexadra Graber Grade 7, University School Science fair |
Developmental & Cognitive Sciences
| First Place | Lillian Salon Grade 8, University School A Picture is Worth A Thousand Numbers |
| Second Place | Arnav Iyengar Grade 7, University School The more you know the faster you go |
| Third Place | Laya Kotihal Grade 7, University School Something’s in the Air |
Engineering
| First Place | Nash Skelton, Charlie Edwards, and Eric Brashears Grade 8, Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning The Fire Finders |
| Second Place | Wyatt Ivins Grade 8, Monte Cassino A New Prototype for Collapsible and Expandable Structures: Combining Auxetics with Hinged Polyhedra |
| Third Place | Axel Bryan Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School Using Robotics for disaster response: Navigating and Communicating. |
Environmental & Life Sciences
| First Place | Anna Rogers Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School Changes in Air Quality due to the Rising Temperatures on Different Surfaces |
| Second Place | Truman Prather Grade 8, University School The NOT So Everlasting Gobstopper |
| Third Place | Orson Slater Grade 7, University School Blinded by the Lights |
Medical & Health Sciences
| First Place | Roshan Kunapuli Grade 7, University School I (heart sign) Exercise! |
| Second Place | Josiah Smietanski, Rick Lenan, and Zoe Jordan Grade 7, Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning Posture Perfect |
| Third Place | Mathilda Ihrig Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School Comparative Analysis of Anatomical Changes in the Brains of Dementia Patients |
Microbiology & Biochemistry
| First Place | Grace Noviski Grade 7, Undercroft Montessori School Efficacy of Commercial Pool Treatments on Reducing Bacterial Load |
| Second Place | Juliette Jackson Grade 7, University School Mold on the Move |
| Third Place | Axel Hernandez and Mateo Martinez Grade 7, Dove School of Discovery Bad Bacteria? |
Physical Sciences
| First Place | Avika Deepak Grade 7, University School The Taste of Time |
| Second Place | Sophia Kurklinsky Grade 7, University School Spin-Tacular Science: The Axel-lent Art of Figure Skating Spins |
| Third Place | Andrew Surja Grade 8, University School Keep it Cool |
Plant Sciences
| First Place | Sophia G. Grade 8, University School Forever Flowers |
| Second Place | Divya Ramnath Grade 7, University School Hot and Cold plants |
| Third Place | Norah Jankowsky Grade 8, University School Plant |
Social Sciences
| First Place | Joses Joshi Grade 8, University School A Laughing Matter |
| Second Place | Evelyn Saylor Grade 8, University School Phone, Phone, In My Hand- Who’s The Fairest In The Land? |
| Third Place | Rosemary Gould Grade 7, University School Dressing Though the Decades |
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Category Awards
Senior Division
Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, & Computer Science
| First Place | Erina Katoh Grade 11, Booker T. Washington High School SPII Guard: Securing Personal Identifiable Information in Receipts Using Regular Expressions and Natural Entity Recognition |
| Second Place | Mason Istre and William Soranno Grade 11, Cascia Hall Preparatory School Utilizing Microcontrollers and Myoelectric Sensors in Constructing a Novel and Affordable Control Method for Robotic Prosthetics |
| Third Place | Rohan Thukaram Grade 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School Sphere Wheels |
Environmental & Plant Science
| First Place | Ariel Diaz Salinas and Sophia Hunt Grade 12, Owasso High School Distribution of heavy metals in soil around tar creek |
| Second Place | Grecia Hernandez Grade 10, Dove Science Academy The Effect a Magnetic Field Has on The Germination Speed of Phaseolus vulgaris |
| Third Place | James Stallings and Josh Kalkat Grade 10, Cascia Hall Preparatory School Effects of changing environmental conditions on Raphanus sativus and Calendula officinalis growth |
Medical & Health Sciences
| First Place | Jack Carson Grade 12, Booker T. Washington High School Deep Generative Modelling for Robust fMRI Denoising |
| Second Place | Harini Senthil Grade 11, Jenks High School Xylazine and Synthetic Opioids as Emerging Threats in Oklahoma: A Qualitative Analysis of Perspectives on Harm Reduction |
| Third Place | Lily Jones and George Panagopoulos Grades 11 & 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School The Effects of a Nutrient Rich Diet and Insulin on Serotonin and Glycogen Levels in Drosphilia Melanogaster |
Microbiology, Biochemistry, & Chemistry
| First Place | Brian Nguyen Grade 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School The Effects of Vitamins on the Rate of Pepsin |
| Second Place | Leo McCoy Grade 10, Cascia Hall Preparatory School Evaluating contributions of human skin Micro Biome in the growth of Micrococcus luteus |
| Third Place | Dylan Derewonko and Shea Jackson Grade 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School Optimal Conditions for the Effectiveness of Benzoyl Peroxide |
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Projects Advancing to ISEF
Listed in no particular order:
Harini Senthil
Grade 11, Jenks High School
Xylazine and Synthetic Opioids as Emerging Threats in Oklahoma: A Qualitative Analysis of Perspectives on Harm Reduction
Jack Carson
Grade 12, Booker T. Washington High School
Deep Generative Modelling for Robust fMRI Denoising
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Projects Advancing to OSSEF
Listed in no particular order:
Mia S.
Grade 7, University School
Somewhere over the Brainbow
Lillian Salon
Grade 8, University School
A Picture is Worth A Thousand Numbers
Nash Skelton, Charlie Edwards, and Eric Brashears
Grade 8, Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning
The Fire Finders
Anna Rogers
Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School
Changes in Air Quality due to the Rising Temperatures on Different Surfaces
Roshan Kunapuli
Grade 7, University School
I (heart sign) Exercise!
Grace Noviski
Grade 7, Undercroft Montessori School
Efficacy of Commercial Pool Treatments on Reducing Bacterial Load
Avika Deepak
Grade 7, University School
The Taste of Time
Sophia G.
Grade 8, University School
Forever Flowers
Joses Joshi
Grade 8, University School
A Laughing Matter
Ariel Diaz Salinas and Sophia Hunt
Grade 12, Owasso High School
Distribution of heavy metals in soil around tar creek
Brian Nguyen
Grade 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
The Effects of Vitamins on the Rate of Pepsin
Erina Katoh
Grade 11, Booker T. Washington High School
SPII Guard: Securing Personal Identifiable Information in Receipts Using Regular Expressions and Natural Entity Recognition
Arnav Iyengar
Grade 7, University School
The more you know the faster you go
Hudson Hale
Grade 7, University School
Eye see different
Josiah Smietanski, Rick Lenan, and Zoe Jordan
Grade 7, Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning
Posture Perfect
Alexadra Graber
Grade 7, University School
Science fair
Laya Kotihal
Grade 7, University School
Something’s in the Air
Lucas Brimenzi
Grade 7, University School
Music
Lily Jones and George Panagopoulos
Grades 11 & 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
The Effects of a Nutrient Rich Diet and Insulin on Serotonin and Glycogen Levels in Drosphilia Melanogaster
Divya Ramnath
Grade 7, University School
Hot and Cold plants
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Special Awards
Psychological Research Award
Presented by the American Psychological Association. This award recognizes outstanding research in psychological science.
Mia S.
Grade 7, University School
Somewhere over the Brainbow
Geoscience Excellence
Presented by the Association of Women Geologists. This award recognizes girls & young women whose projects exemplify high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences and/or Earth sciences.
Ariel Diaz Salinas and Sophia Hunt
Grade 12, Owasso High School
Distribution of heavy metals in soil around tar creek
Earth System Science Award
Presented by NASA. This award recognizes a project that demonstrates insights into the Earth’s complex and interconnected spheres, such as the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
Anna Rogers
Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School
Changes in Air Quality due to the Rising Temperatures on Different Surfaces
Biomedical Sciences
Presented by Regeneron. This award recognizes a project with an impressive command of biomedical sciences and Regeneron’s core values, such as Curiosity, Innovation, Teamwork, and Continuous Learning.
Place Josiah Smietanski, Rick Lenan, and Zoe Jordan
Grade 7, Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning
Posture Perfect
Rising Star in Chemistry Award- Junior
Presented by the Tulsa Chapter of the American Chemical Society. This award recognizes excellence and passion in the field of chemistry.
Tie:
Juliette Jackson
Grade 7, University School
Mold on the Move
and
Landon Williams
Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School
Clearing Water Contaminants
Rising Star in Chemistry Award- Senior
Presented by the Tulsa Chapter of the American Chemical Society. This award recognizes excellence and passion in the field of chemistry.
Dylan Derewonko and Shea Jackson
Grade 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Optimal Conditions for the Effectiveness of Benzoyl Peroxide
Best Engineering Award
Presented by TD Williamson. This award recognizes projects that showcase excellence in skills related to engineering & research.
Mason Istre and William Soranno
Grade 11, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Utilizing Microcontrollers and Myoelectric Sensors in Constructing a Novel and Affordable Control Method for Robotic Prosthetics
Best Tool Award
Presented by TD Williamson. This award recognizes projects that showcase excellence in skills related to engineering & research.
Axel Bryan
Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School
Using Robotics for disaster response: Navigating and Communicating.
Best Presentation
Presented by TD Williamson. This award recognizes projects that showcase excellence in skills related to engineering & research.
Brian Nguyen
Grade 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
The Effects of Vitamins on the Rate of Pepsin
Best Application of Research
Presented by TD Williamson. This award recognizes projects that showcase excellence in skills related to engineering & research.
Erina Katoh
Grade 11, Booker T. Washington High School
SPII Guard: Securing Personal Identifiable Information in Receipts Using Regular Expressions and Natural Entity Recognition
Energy Excellence Award
Presented by Ten-Nine Tech, a Bronze sponsor of the Tulsa Regional Science Fair. This award recognizes a project that demonstrates creative & innovative explorations of energy.
John Alcott, Natalya Balandran, and Austin Bacher
Grades 8 &9, Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning
ThermoGuard
Best Use of Technology Award
Presented by Northeastern State University, a Silver sponsor of the Tulsa Regional Science Fair. This award recognizes a project that showcases the innovative ways technology can be used to help improve our lives.
Axel Bryan
Grade 8, Undercroft Montessori School
Using Robotics for disaster response: Navigating and Communicating.
Inquisitive Thinking Award
Presented by The University of Tulsa, our presenting sponsor of the Tulsa Regional Science Fair. This award recognizes a project that demonstrates creative and inquisitive thinking into the issues of our world and potential solutions for the better.
Lily Jones and George Panagopoulos
Grades 11 & 12, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
The Effects of a Nutrient Rich Diet and Insulin on Serotonin and Glycogen Levels in Drosphilia Melanogaster
Student Choice Award: Best Named Project
The Student Choice Awards were voted on by science fair participants. The Best Named award recognizes the most creative, intriguing, or funny project title.
Evelyn Saylor
Grade 8, University School
Phone, Phone, In My Hand- Who’s The Fairest In The Land?
Student Choice Award: Best Unexpected Results
The Student Choice Awards were voted on by science fair participants. The Best Unexpected Result award recognizes that even “negative results” are still results and applauds the project with the most surprising results.
Axel Hernandez and Mateo Martinez
Grade 7, Dove School of Discovery
Bad Bacteria?
Student Choice Award: Best in Show
The Student Choice Awards were voted on by science fair participants. The Best In Show Award recognizes the project participants all believe is most interesting, unique, well-crafted, and deserving of being named “Best in Show.”
Grace Noviski
Grade 7, Undercroft Montessori School
Efficacy of Commercial Pool Treatments on Reducing Bacterial Load
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The 2024 Tulsa Regional Science Fair was Presented By:
