On February 5, 2025, students from Okaloosa and Walton counties assembled at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds to present their science fair projects during the 2025 East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Students then attended the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, held at Beachside Community Church.
The judging portion of the science fair incorporated interviews for exhibitors with the professional scientists and engineers who served as Judges. The discussion of the project, suggestions, questions, and ideas, plus the opportunity for the Judges to become aware of the student’s interest in professional fields, are some of the important outcomes of the personal interviews. The judging session also exposed students to role models in the disciplines in which they are interested. Students were required to describe their projects in the vocabulary of the discipline and, thereby, grow increasingly articulate with the challenge and practice.
The Awards Ceremony recognized the students for their hard work and dedication in participating in the Science Fair. The projects represented were the best of the best from schools throughout the region and showcased the creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills of the next generation of scientists.
Not all Category Awards and Special Awards had first-place winners, and first-place winners were not automatically State Finalists. Category placements were based on ranking within the category. First-place winners were required to meet a point threshold to receive that placement. State Finalists were chosen based on the overall scores in the fair and could include more than the first-place award in a category.
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair is the World’s largest pre-college STEM competition and is sponsored by Intel. The winners will be competing with more than 1,800 high school students from 75 other countries from May 10th - 16th in Columbus, Ohio.
Winners: Sasha McCraine and Summer House
Florida State Science and Engineering Fair
State nominations were selected based on the student’s overall points and score within the entire fair, not just their category. There may not be a first place from each category and not every first place was a state nominee. In some categories, there may be multiple state nominees from multiple placements. Florida State Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 25-27, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida.
Senior Division
Henry Baltz
Adam Clark
Jaylyn Contento
Summer House
Tate Lillian
Sasha McCraine
Grace Petty
Daisy Proffitt
Chase Robbins
Elisabeth Wallace
Junior Division
Ian Allen
Jonah Chapados
Anthony Doyle
Natasha Duffley
Diego Escobar
Sofia Escobar
Ryan Gregg
Brantley Lane
Emmalyn Otzenberger
Moira Reyenga
Eva Stenstad
Katie Stango
Emily Stone
Thermo Fisher Junior Innovator’s Challenge
The Thermo Fisher Junior Innovator's Challenge (JIC) is the premier STEM research competition for Middle School Students. The top 10% of Junior Division Finalists have the honor of further competition in the Thermo Fisher JIC. The top 300 Junior Innovators will be selected to receive a $125 prize. 30 Finalists are selected from the top 300 to compete for more than $100,000 in prizes. Finalists’ schools receive $1000.
Junior Division
Ian Allen
Jonah Chapados
Anthony Doyle
Diego Escobar
Ryan Gregg
Moira Reyenga
SPECIAL AWARDS
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)
Award winners received $100 for second place and $200 for first place in each division for their overall presentation, knowledge of the subject, and understanding of the experiment. Presented by Mr. James Tyhurst.
Junior Division
First Place – Brantley Lane
Second Place – Ryan Gregg
Senior Division
First Place – Jackson Despard
Second Place – Tate Lillian
SLUGGO Award by Modern Technology Solutions Incorporated (MTSI)
MTSI's SLUGGO Award motivates and empowers today's students to become tomorrow's innovators and problem solvers. In each division, the second-place winner received a certificate and $100 and the first-place winner received a certificate and $200. Presented by Mr. Stan “Sluggo” Siefke.
Junior Division
First Place – Eva Stenstad
Second Place – Natasha Duffley
Senior Division
First Place – Sasha McCraine
Second Place – Carter Fields
Miracle Strip Veterinary Medical Society
Award for the best projects relating to Veterinary Medicine. The winner from each division received $100 and a certificate. Presented by Dr. Michael Beckham.
Junior Division – Moira Reyenga
Senior Division – Adam Clark
Air Force Association, Chapter 398
Award was presented to students that showed imagination, practicality, creativity, and data collection design for a project that addresses a significant aspect of aviation, aerospace, or STEM. Second place winners in each division received a certificate and $75 and first place winners in each division received a certificate and $150. Presented by Mr. Dann Mattiza.
Junior Division
First Place – Ian Allen
Second Place – Elijah Haley
Senior Division
First Place – Summer House
Second Place – Carter Skaggs
Okaloosa County Waste Resources
Recognized a project in each division that focuses on recycling, composting, alternative energy, conservation, and related topics. Winners received an engraved award plaque. Presented by Mr. Jim Reece.
Junior Division – Emmalyn Otzenberger
Senior Division – Elisabeth Wallace
Office of Naval Research
Junior Division winners received a certificate, letter of achievement, and medallion and Senior Division winners received a certificate, a medal, and a link to obtain $50 gift card.
Junior Division
Landon Weisberg
Ella Norman
Senior Division
Carter Skaggs
Delaine Rajesnayagham
46th Test Squadron Cyber Test Group
Awarded projects that excelled in the use of image classification, natural language processing, and predictive modeling or related topics. Each prize was worth $200. Winners of ties split the award, $100 each.
Junior Division – Anthony Doyle
Senior Division – Tie between Elisabeth Wallace and Chase Robbins
Garnier Beach Garden Club
Award recognized top four projects in horticulture science. Winners received $50 each.
Jonah Chapados
Grace Petty
Daisy Proffitt
Moira Reyenga
Northwest Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Awarded the two students with the best aerospace or aeronautics related projects in each division. First place winners received $100 and second place winners received $50. Presented by Ms. Crystal Pasiliao.
Junior Division
First Place - Diego Escobar
Second Place - Elijah Haley
Senior Division
First Place – Jackson Despard
Second Place – Summer House
The Drs. Alice and Louis Fay Award for Chemistry
Awarded to projects emphasizing the practical application of chemical principles. Senior Division winners received certificates and $100 for second place and $200 for first place. Junior Division winners received certificates and $75 for second place and $150 for first place.
Junior Division
First Place – Natasha Duffley
Second Place – Denise Heidbreder
Senior Division
First Place (Tie) - Jaylyn Contento and Charles Brooks
The Hannibal and Tyreeca Davis Award for Mathematics
Awarded projects that emphasize mathematical principles themselves, rather than their application to other subjects.
Junior Division
First Place – Abigail Patenaude
Second Place – Tie between Averil Lillian and Eva Stenstad
Senior Division
First Place – Chase Robbins
Second Place - Summer House
Emerald Coast Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association
Awarded to top three STEM projects. Presented by Mr. Scott McGovern.
First Place – Summer House ($300 award)
Second Place – Tate Lillian ($200 award)
Third Place – Jaylyn Contento ($100 award)
Florida Association of Science Teachers
Winners: Rylee Torres and Zara Crocker
Ricoh Sustainable Development
Recognized an outstanding project that addresses social and environmental challenges and a meaningful solution for a more sustainable future. Winner: Carter Skaggs
Emerald Coast Science Center
Winners received a gift basket, including complimentary passes to the Emerald Coast Science Center.
The GEMS Award is for a girl who shows interest in Math and Science. It is a program at Emerald Coast Science Center where girls will learn about the work of a renowned female scientist while engaging in hands-on lessons. Winner:
Moira Reyenga.
The Environmental Advocate Award recognized a project(s) that shows passion for our environment and a project or idea that can help our planet. Winner: Natasha Duffley.
Association for Women Geoscientists
Award certificate presented to a Senior Division young woman whose project exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences or Earth Sciences. The winner is also awarded an honorary membership in the Association for Women Geoscientists. Winner: Aimi Frasca.
Lemelson Early Inventor Prize
Awarded to a Junior Division finalist who identifies a critical problem that impacts their lives and identifies the various parameters a solution must have to be successful. The student developed a tangible, inventive solution that is novel and positively impacts others. Winner received a certificate and $100. Winner: Liam Hills.
Regeneron Biomedical Special Award
The winning Senior Division project demonstrated an impressive command of biomedical sciences and Regeneron’s core values. Winner received a certificate and $375. Winner: Sasha McCraine.
Yale Science and Engineering Program
Recognized the most outstanding 11th grade project. Winner: Sasha McCraine.
US Metric Association
Certificate awarded to a project that exclusively, correctly, and accurately used the metric system. Winner: Landon Weisberg.
NOAA “Taking the Pulse of the Planet”
Award emphasized NOAA’s mission of Science, Service, and Stewardship. A certificate and letter of congratulations was presented to the winner. Winner: Simon Katz.
Air Force Research Lab at The US Department of the Air Force
Supports STEM initiatives and is committed to providing opportunities to develop future leaders in STEM fields. Recognized four talented students with a sling pack, power bank, USB thumb drive, car charger, and certificate.
Henry Baltz
Diego Escobar
Brantley Lane
Chase Robbins
NASA Earth Systems Science Award
Presented to a project that incorporates the different spheres of the Earth systems and shows cause-effect relationships based on evidence. Winner: Katie Stango.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Considered the most prestigious award for water-related science, the winner of this Regional Award received a certificate and was invited to compete at the national level for a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to compete at the international level. Projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through the improvement of water quality, water resource management, or water and wastewater treatment. Winner: Grace Petty.
Society for In Vitro Biology
Recognized the most outstanding 11th grade project in the areas of plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture. Winner: Mallory Goldin.
CATEGORY AWARDS
Animal Sciences
Junior Division
Second Place - Jonathan Cyhaniuk, Buzzing Around
Biomedical and Health Sciences
Senior Division
First Place - Sasha McCraine, Improving the Hydrophilicity of Dental Filling Composite
Second Place - Henry Baltz, Best Immediate Sugary Drink for Hypoglycemia
Third Place - Mallory Goldin, How to Detect If Criminals are Trying to get Away with Murder
Cellular/ Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Senior Division
First Place - Elisabeth Wallace, From Waste to Fuel to Fertilizer: Evaluating Biofuel Yields from Food Waste Fermentation and Assessing Residual Fertilizer Quality
Second Place - Zack Hirschinger, How the concentration of biomass in wastewater affects the energy output and bioremediation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in microbial fuel cells
Third Place - Charles Brooks, Enzyme Effect
Chemistry
Junior Division
First Place - Sofia Escobar, The Effects of Time on Copper
Second Place - Arianna Lopez, The Apple Matter
Third Place - Emma Speegle, How Sweet Is The Mass and Denise Heidbreder, Egg-cellent Whitening and Brightening
Senior Division
First Place - Jaylyn Contento, A Bright Future: Powered By Graphene
Second Place - Zara Crocker, Exploring Seawater Composition: Effects of Elevated Temperatures on Chemical and Physical Properties
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Junior Division
First Place - Moira Reyenga, Biorock Vs. The Effects of Acid Rain
Second Place - Jonah Chapados, The Pesky Plastic Pollution Problem: Exploring the Why of Water Warming and Emily Stone, The Future of Filtering
Third Place - Hazel Smith, It’s Raining it’s Pouring
Senior Division
First Place - Grace Petty, Effects of Runoff Chemicals on Brackish Water Plankton and Algae
Second Place - Brent Melancon, Quenching the Flame: The Impact of Moisture on Wood's Energy Output
Third Place - Simon Katz, How does sea level change and salt water intrusion affect plants in coastal dune lakes
Engineering and Material Science
Junior Division
First Place - Deigo Escobar, Wings In The Sky and Ryan Gregg, Color Effect on Solar Stills
Second Place - Brantley Lane, Which 3D Printing Infill Holds the Most Weight?
Third Place - Benjamin Nusimow, Pumping on all cylinders: The impact of nozzle design on balloon powered rockets
Senior Division
First Place - Tate Lillian, Propeller Thrust Optimization
Second Place - Rolando Velasquez Andres, Engineering and Development of a new device for physical therapy to better quantify resistance training
Third Place - Jackson Despard, Improving Dropsonde Descent Accuracy and Delaine Rajesnayagham, Prosthetic Performances: Investigating Factors Affecting Arm Efficiency
Environmental Engineering
Junior Division
First Place - Natasha Duffley, Breaking Down Polyhydroxyalnoates: An In-Depth Look at Enzymatic Degradation and Its Effects on Filter Membrane Porosity
Second Place - Aimi Frasca, Shake it Off! and Ella Norman, Shape the Wind: Designing the Perfect Blade
Third Place - Travis Clary, Light it Up!
Senior Division
Second Place - Carter Skaggs, Influence of wave action and absorbent material type on oil spill clean
Intelligent Machines, Robotics, and Systems Software
Junior Division
First Place - Anthony Doyle, Claw Machine
Second Place - Eva Stenstad, Machine learning: fit to fight for firefighters
Mathematics and Computational Science
Junior Division
Second Place - Abigail Patenaude, Lost in the Shuffle
Microbiology
Junior Division
Second Place - Christian Mendez Jr., Is your favorite swimming hole safe to swim in
Senior Division
First Place - Adam Clark, Will increased bacterial diversity of food source improve survival and time to maturity of Drosophilia melanogaster eggs?
Second Place - Carter Fields, Evaluating Risk Assessment and Decision Making in Physarum polycephalum
Physics and Astronomy
Junior Division
First Place - Ian Allen, SAND - Simulation of Absorption in Nanosized quantum Dots
Second Place - Emmalyn Otzenberger, How do eco-friendly materials affect a 3D printed house's insulation?
Third Place - Averil Lillian, Violin String Theory and Micah Nishizuka, Color... Does it Matter?
Senior Division
First Place (Tied) - Summer House, Using GEANT4 to Find the Most Weight Effective Passive Radiation Shielding for Long Term Space Travel and Chase Robbins, Effect of Thickness on a Plasmonic Waveguide
Plant Sciences
Junior Division
First Place - Katie Stango, Rising CO2 Levels; is it really all that bad?
Second Place - Danna Aquilera, LED Lights are the New Life
Third Place - Liam Dickenson, Let It Grow, Let It Grow and Delilah Rodas, How Does Caffeine Affect Plant Growth
Senior Division
First Place - Daisy Proffitt, Finding a Preventative to Crown Gall
Second Place - Frankie Bartlett, Node growth on Pothos and Philodendrons using plant hormones in varying light conditions
View the East Panhandle Regional Science & Engineering Fair Awards program here!
Congratulations to all of our winners!