Wyoming State Science Fair Students Qualify for National STEM Challenge

Three Wyoming student science researchers have been invited to the National STEM Challenge in Washington, D.C., in April.

The three -- designated as STEM Challenge champions -- competed and won top honors for their original projects at the Wyoming State Science Fair last spring at the University of Wyoming. They are Shelby Hoobler, of Cheyenne; Bryce Newman, from Lander; and Laramie’s Padmalakshmi Ramesh. Hoobler and Ramesh are in high school, while Newman is a middle school student.

The three advanced to the next level of competition by submitting videos and will participate in the national STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) competition this spring.

The students’ research projects cover a wide variety of topics that will be shared with national leaders, says UW’s Erin Stoesz, who is the Wyoming State Science Fair director. Hoobler’s project focuses on soil cations and anions in disturbed riparian areas; Newman’s research is about how plants with Fibonacci branching patterns collect more sunlight than others; and Ramesh will present a machine learning study distinguishing quasars from stars.

Stoesz says she was impressed with the students’ work and encouraged them to apply for the additional opportunity to showcase their research on a national level.

“When students use the scientific or engineering process to develop their original ideas in creative ways, that is what makes them great candidates for advancing to national and international competitions,” Stoesz says. “Presenting well in the science fair gets their research seen.”

Five other Wyoming students were recommended from the Wyoming State Science Fair to enter the STEM Challenge: Chaise Benasky, Caroline Boyer and Tyler Searfoss, all from Greybull; Ash Cooper, from Pinedale; and Basin’s Shay Williams. The five were selected as national STEM finalists but did not qualify for the next round of competition.

“We congratulate these young Wyoming scientists, and we look forward to more excellent research and innovative thinking,” Stoesz says.

The National STEM Challenge seeks projects that tackle real-world problems using scientific method or engineering design. The U.S. Department of Education and EXPLR, which helps students thrive in school and life by providing real-world, rigorous and relevant educational resources, sponsor the STEM Challenge.

UW will host the 2024 Wyoming State Science Fair Sunday-Tuesday, March 3-5.