During the weekend, the Texas Science and Engineering Fairor TXSEF, took place at the Zachry Engineering Complex and the Student Recreation Center. The faculty, staff and students of Texas A&M have had the opportunity to judge college -level research projects created by students from sixth to a twelfth year from the whole state.
With more than 350 judges and 1,200 competition students, the fair included 21 categories extending over engineering and physical sciences. This year, the competition is sponsored by the Texas WorkForce Commission and Exxonmobil, which, combined, donated a total of $ 30,000 in the scholarships to winning finalists.
Shelly Tornquist, director of Spark! PK-12 Engineering Education Awareness At A&M, has managed twelve programs throughout the year and has run the TXSEF since 2019.
“The children who participate in the fair are thieves,” said Tornquist. “Students who compete in the fair are researching the level higher than adolescence. The TXSEF is not only a fair to present incredible sciences, but also a chance for under-represented or first generation students to acquire opportunities and find their academic path. ”
The fair started on Friday with Night at ZachWhere participants and their families were invited to join exhibitors at the Zachry Engineering Complex. Various A&M departments and student organizations were present, such as the departments of horticulture, chemistry, electrical and computer engineering, women in robotics, the Tamu reflection group, A&M neuroscience and more.
“Tonight was so fun,” said Amaya, a high school student from Colleneville. “We have seen so many nice subjects and everything is so interactive. Competition helps me to see things from a different perspective while meeting a lot of people who are also interested in science. Texas A&M is definitely on my university list. ”
Amaya’s research project focused on the effects of high cortisol or stress, on the heart in three different age groups: children, young adults and the elderly. To test her hypothesis, she carried out psychological induction tests, psychological reduction tests and physical stress tests for each age group.
The objective of his research was to identify signs, such as high blood pressure and accelerated heart rhythms, to confirm that stress can cause serious blockages and heart disease.
“I want to find a way to prevent deadly blockages and various heart injuries from occurring,” said Amaya. “Your mental health has a very important impact on your physical body.”
She said that heart disease runs into her family and that inspiration for answers has just wanted to help her father, who suffers from the disease.
“Even if it’s a competition, I really want to help people,” said Amaya. “Being accepted as a finalist would mean a lot to me. My research comes from the heart, literally. “
On Saturday, students were judged on the basis of criteria specific to the discipline. For projects in physical sciences, judges focus on adherence to scientific methods, to what extent their hypothesis is defined, how their methodology is sounding and if their data has produced significant results. For engineering projects, judges assess whether the design meets the required criteria, works effectively and demonstrates innovation. For both, discovery and practical application are underlined.
“We have judges of Texas A&M University – teachers and students – as well as representatives of several Texas universities and several industries, including Lockheed Martin and Spacex”, Spark! PK-12 program manager and the TXSEF judgment coordinator, Pam Simmons-Brooks, said. “As a long -standing educator, it really warms my hearts to see students establish links, imagining themselves in Stem careers and seeing Texas A&M University as part of their future.”
Vikram, a first -year participant in Houston secondary, has created a brain tumor software system that analyzes the data from MRI scans to classify tumors.
“Every 23 seconds, a person in the world is diagnosed with a brain tumor, but for many people, it is too late to do anything,” said Vikram. “This is what happened to my grandfather, and when radiologists saw the tumor in his brain, he was already in stadium four and died. My software can more effectively solve this problem and help people. ”
Vikram said he wanted to become a biomedical engineer so that he could develop new treatment plans for people with medical problems. His project is one of the many, but maybe the next advance that the world is looking for.
Other notable projects include the use of copper minerals to control ES epidemics. Coli In rivers, the use of house -free -house mycelium insulation for houses and the creation of high -end durable alternative perfumes for people with eczema and sensitive skin.
“This is the thing,” said Tornquist, wiping a tear of his eye. “These children who come to TXSEF are full of such great dreams. These children can be those who develop a solution that could one day save my family, save your family. I am proud to help them present their projects and help them find their place in our world. ”
The finalists who gain in the senior division – open to the juniors and the seniors of the secondary – are selected to compete in the 2025 International Science and Engineering Fairor ISEF, organized by Society for Science. ISEF 2025 will take place in Columbus, Ohio at Greater Columbus Convention Center from May 10 to 16. Students from sixth to twelfth year in more than 40 countries will be in competition to win.
To see the finalists chosen from the TXSEF and the other prices awarded, please visit txsef.tamu.edu/awards.
To see a film presenting students’ projects and their regional trips to the State (the SEF of Texas A&M is included), in international competition, look at the National Geographic documentary “”Scientific fair. “”