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A Day in the Life of A Public Ally at SARSEF

October Edition

By Katerina Guerrero

Hello everyone! This month is usually about tricks and treats, spooky costumes, and scary movies. I love Halloween, but I’m not very good at watching scary movies without hiding my face in the pillows. This month I didn’t do too much hiding but instead enjoyed the treats that came my way. Nothing too spooky for me!

For me, the beginning of October was the start of my second year of Public Allies, Americorps with SARSEF as their Marketing and Communication Specialist. Now that can sound spooky, but it was a real treat. The feeling of getting a king-size candy bar when trick or treating as a little kid. My hands were a little shaky meeting everyone for the first time, but I always told myself to be myself and be the best version of myself and nothing could go wrong. Joining an amazing group of people at SARSEF took away the spooky and scary. You might ask, how did I get here?

I am originally from a small city outside of Boston called Lawrence, MA. I was raised in this small community and inside my parents’ restaurants. I was running around the rooms as a little kid and later started to work from host to manager. I became a writing leader for middle school students and a mentor for these students just like those who helped me in the same program. Listening to students and what they have to say, I learned so much from them and continue to grow when working with students. I made the extremely hard but amazing decision to move to Tucson to continue my education at the University of Arizona after taking two years off to help my parents during COVID. I moved to Tucson to start my major in Mexican-American studies and minor in Spanish. I am the daughter of an immigrant; my father left his family in Mexico to have a better life for himself and his family. Being so far from my family and culture in Mexico, I felt like I was losing myself and wanted to know better who I am. Taking these classes and living in Tucson has helped me so much.  During my first month living in Tucson, I learned about Public Allies Americorps and right away started my first year at ASU OCHER.  

I am so excited to be here at SARSEF, to be a storyteller for them and students, and to help spread our values of innovation, equity, and engagement. While here, I will be working on marketing. I will work with my co-workers, the students, and others involved in SARSEF and get to tell the story of the impact SARSEF has had on them and continues to have on them. With that, I will also be working on social media to spread the amazing work we are doing here.

I have learned so much and already feel a part of the team. I could dump out my pillow sheet of candy and give and trade my candy with them. As I am beginning my time here at SARSEF, I have had the amazing opportunity to meet everyone and discuss their roles and why they love having the chance to create opportunities for students through science and engineering. As I said, this month was filled with more sweet treats than tricks.

Become a SARSEF Science Ambassador

Become a SARSEF Science Ambassador!

The Science Ambassador program prepares student scientists and engineers to represent SARSEF at events while promoting STEM accessibility and diversity throughout the community. Ambassadors will attend four training sessions to certify their involvement at community events. Once certified, Science Ambassadors are able to represent SARSEF, facilitate activities at tabling events, and have access to speaking opportunities to share their passion for STEM with PreK-12 students and educators in Southern Arizona.  

Who we are looking for:  

  • Student volunteers who are at least 16 years old (high school or college/university/trade school)
  • Passionate about STEM and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers 
  • Previous participation in one or more of SARSEF’s programs preferred 
  • Excellent communication skills, including comfort with public speaking or an interest in building public speaking skills 
  • Experience collaborating across diverse groups 
  • Responsible, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and creative 
  • Availability in their schedule to attend trainings and 2-3 community events a month 

Benefits of Certification:

  • Fulfill needed service hours in a fun and impactful environment
  • Ability to list program membership and certification on resume and LinkedIn profile as a representative of a leading STEM education nonprofit. 
  • Opportunity to network with industry partners at events
  • Participate in diversifying access to quality STEM programming and expanding impact to those with the greatest need
  • Letters of recommendation written by SARSEF leaders as you continue to volunteer with our organization

Where: Trainings are in-person at SARSEF Office (5049 E Broadway Blvd); community events will be in and around the Tucson area 

When: See training schedule below. Once training is complete, community event opportunities vary from weekdays, weekday evenings, and weekends. Event participation schedule is flexible, however, we do expect Ambassadors to attend at least 2-3 community events a month.

Registration Deadline: Registration for the Fall 2023 cohort will be open from August 1 through August 31, 2023. All four training sessions are required in order to complete the program.

Fall Cohort 2023

Four training sessions, once a week for four weeks 

Session 1: Thursday, September 7, 7:00-8:30p

Session 2: Thursday, September 14, 7:00-8:30p

Session 3: Thursday, September 21, 7:00-8:30p

Session 4: Thursday, September 28, 7:00-8:30p

Registration is open for SARSEF’s first-ever Fair Director conference!

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Science Fair.

For Fair Directors, educators, and administrators

Whether you are new to science and engineering fairs or a seasoned alum, attend workshops that will increase your ability to confidently and easily encourage Science Fair participation at your school and support the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders!

Workshop topics include:

  • Project basics
  • Demystifying SRC
  • Data visualization strategies
  • Judging tips
  • Integrating state standards with real-world investigations
  • How best to support student research
  • Addressing common teacher, student, and parent questions
  • How to run a Science Fair at your school
  • Coding basics, using 21st century tools in research
  • How to get the most out of the SARSEF Regional Fair experience

and more!

Conference Details

When? Saturday, September 16, 2023 9:00am-2:00pm

Where? Community Foundation for Southern Arizona 5049 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711

Cost? $25 per attendee All registration fees are being covered by a generous donation from the Broadcom Foundation!

The conference will consist of general sessions, networking, and breakout “elective” sessions. Attendees will receive the full list of electives and submit their choices as we get closer to the conference date. Lunch and light refreshments will be served! Space is limited – register now!

Junior League of Tucson Joins SARSEF in Empowering Young Minds through Summer Camps in Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ – July 12, 2023– SARSEF is thrilled to announce the expansion of its summer camp program, thanks to the funding awarded by Governor Katie Hobbs’ Summer Enrichment Grant. In partnership with Arizona Science Center, the grant will support CAMP INNOVATION in hosting hundreds of children across Tucson at no charge.

SARSEF is collaborating with a diverse range of esteemed organizations in Tucson, AZ, including the Junior League of Tucson, to deliver an array of exciting summer camps for young scientists and ensuring accessibility and diverse learning opportunities for young participants.

“We are grateful for the collaboration with the Junior League of Tucson, as it allows us to create impactful summer camps that empower young scientists to dream big and pursue their passion for science,” said Julie Euber, SARSEF CEO.

The collaborative effort between SARSEF, Arizona Science Center, and the Junior League of Tucsonhas resulted in a thoughtfully crafted curriculum designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Summer camp at the Junior League of Tucson will take place July 10-14, grades 6-8, from 9am-3pm.

“The Junior League of Tucson’s mission includes training future leaders and bettering our community.  We are honored to be able to partner with SARSEF in a way that honors both organization’s core beliefs.  We are excited to see what these students can accomplish!” said Terri Tellez-Baker, Junior League of Tucson President.

Registration for CAMP INNOVATION summer camps is now open and limited.

In case of high demand, registrants will have the option to be placed on a waitlist for additional weeks, ensuring that as many students as possible can benefit from this unique educational opportunity.

For more information and to register for CAMP INNOVATION summer camps, please visit https://sarsef.org/

About SARSEF:

https://sarsef.org/

SARSEF was formed in 1955 in an effort to increase student interest in the field of science. The mission of SARSEF is to engage Arizona’s Pre-K-12 grade students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through inquiry-based learning and research.

SARSEF accomplishes this mission through a variety of programming including a high school mentoring program, the STAR Lab, SARSEF Fair Week, educational outreach programs with an emphasis on underrepresented populations in the sciences, teacher professional development, ACES Camp for Middle School girls, Racing the Sun, and Arizona STEM Adventure.

To learn more about SARSEF programs and how students, teachers, and families can get involved, visit sarsef.org

About Junior League of Tucson

www.juniorleagueoftucson.org

The Junior League of Tucson, Inc. belongs to the Association of Junior Leagues International. Founded in 1933, we are committed to voluntarism, developing exceptional civic leaders, and improving our community through lasting change. The Junior League of Tucson reaches out to all women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate a commitment to voluntarism. Women from all backgrounds giving their talent, time, energy and money to the educational and charitable programs of the Junior League of Tucson to improve the quality of life in our community.

Our current community programs issue area is Menstrual Equity and Period Product Access.

To learn more about the work that the Junior League of Tucson is doing in our community, inquire about renting our community space or becoming a member, visit juniorleagueoftucson.org

Media Contact:

Julie Euber

SARSEF

julie@sarsef.org

520-525-5342

Junior League of Tucson Media Contact

Terri Tellez-Baker

Junior League of Tucson, Inc.

President@juniorleagueoftucson.org

520-299-5753

2023 Camp Innovation Registration

FREE Summer Day Camp for Students Interested in Exploring STEM! 

Thanks to funding awarded by Governor Katie Hobbs, we are thrilled to announce that SARSEF and the Arizona Science Center will be hosting exciting week-long summer camps throughout the entire summer for FREE!

This year, we have expanded our offerings and will be running camps every week in various locations across Tucson, Arizona. Get ready to let your child’s imagination run wild as they embark on a journey that will ignite their curiosity in science. 

Our hands-on interactive programs will provide campers with engaging experiences and the opportunity to explore future careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). These camps are open to students grades 4-5 and 6-8. We can’t wait to inspire young minds and create unforgettable memories this summer!

We kindly request that students bring their own packed lunches that do not require refrigeration. Food allergies will still be recorded in camp registration to ensure any snacks we provide are safe for your camper. Camp Innovation is free to all campers. Once a preferred camp is selected, registrants can request to be put on the waitlist for additional weeks.

Check out Camp Dates and Locations Below!

You will be able to register for one preferred camp and you may join the waitlist for additional camps if desired.

Week 1: June 12-16- Pima Community College – Northwest Campus

7600 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85709

Grades 6-8

Times: 9am-3pm

Week 2: June 19-23- UA Tech Park

9070 S Rita Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747

Grades 4-5

Times: 9am-3pm

Week 3: June 26-30- FORGE at Roy Place

44 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

Grades 4-5

Times: 9am-3pm

Week 4: July 10-14- Junior League of Tucson

2099 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718

Grades 6-8

Times: 9am-3pm

Week 5: July 17-21- Pima Community College- Northwest Campus

7600 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85709

Grades 4-5

Times: 9am-3pm

Week 6: July 24-28- Tohono Chul

7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704

Grades 6-8

Times: 9am-3pm

Week 7: July 31-Aug 4- Tohono Chul

7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704

Grades 4-5

Times: 9am-3pm

SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER TODAY.

2023 Racing the Sun Winning Teams and Honorees

Congratulations to all the teams who participated in this year’s Racing the Sun (RTS). Racing the Sun is a hands-on, innovative engineering program that challenges high school students to design, build, and race electric and solar-powered go-karts. Racing the Sun is a college preparatory program available to any Arizona high school.  

Working with teachers, mentors and industry professional advisors, students spend nine months preparing for Race Day. Along the way, they apply the principles of physics, engineering, and energy. Through collaborative efforts with school sites and educators, race teams solve real-world problems, using mathematical, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Students work in teams and are challenged to translate their ideas into a working prototype and build leadership excellence skills.

Click here to view the 2023 Race Day Photo Album

Participating High Schools and Team Names:

  • Center for Academic Success Sierra Vista: CAS Maker and Standard (Sierra Vista, Arizona)
  • Desert Vista High School: Low Riders (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Empire High School: The Raven Conspiracy (Tucson, Arizona)
  • McClintock High School : Solar Chargers (Tempe, Arizona)
  • Mica Mountain High School: The Thunder Sisters and Solar Storm (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Rio Rico High School: Los Engineers (Rio Rico, Arizona)
  • Salpointe Catholic High School: Salpointe Maker and Lancers (Tucson, Arizona)
  • San Miguel High School – Tucson: Viper Racing (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Shadow Ridge High School (Arizona): Ridge Racers (Surprise, Arizona)
  • Sonoran Science Academy – Davis Monthan: Axle-Auto (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Tanque Verde High School: TVHS Solar Flares (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Willcox High School: Willcox Gearheads (Willcox, Arizona)
  • Williams Field High School: Eclipse of the Hawks (Gilbert, Arizona)

Racing the Sun Results

Honor to Advisors: John Sepp and Jay West

Division Award Winners:

  • Standard: Empire High School- The Raven Conspiracy (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Legacy: Salpointe Catholic High School- Lancers (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Maker: Shadow Ridge High School- Ridge Racers (Surprise, Arizona)

Endurance Awards:

  • Standard: Mica Mountain High School- The Thunder Sisters (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Legacy: Rio Rico High School- Los Engineers (Rio Rico, Arizona)
  • Maker: Shadow Ridge High School- Ridge Racers (Surprise, Arizona)

Speed Award Winners:

  • Standard: San Miguel High School- Viper Racing (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Legacy: Salpointe Catholic High School- Lancers (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Maker: Shadow Ridge High School- Ridge Racers (Surprise, Arizona)

Best Verbal Presentation: Sonoran Science Academy- Davis Monthan- Axle-Auto (Tucson, Arizona)

Spirit Award: Rio Rico High School- Los Engineers (Rio Rico, Arizona)

Best Appearing Team and Kart: Rio Rico High School- Los Engineers (Rio Rico, Arizona)

Innovator Award: Desert Vista High School- Low Riders (Phoenix, Arizona)

Newcomer of the Year: San Miguel High School- Viper Racing (Tucson, Arizona)

Grand Champion: Shadow Ridge High School- Ridge Racers (Surprise, Arizona)

Coach of the Year: Derek Langley with Mica Mountain High School (Tucson, Arizona) and Cecilia Gossler with Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson, Arizona)

If you would like to know more about SARSEF and how you can become engaged in STEM, volunteer for our organization, or donate, visit us at (https://sarsef.org/)

Arizona students attend the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Virginia Beach, Virginia!

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) program is one of the nation’s longest-running STEM competitions. It is a collaborative effort between the research arm of the Department of Defense (DoD) and nationwide academic research institutions and is administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).

Five students from Arizona attended the National JSHS Competition and we are proud to share that two of them achieved recognition! Maritza Roberts-Padilla from BASIS Tucson North won First Place for her poster presentation in Chemistry and Chloe Zhan from Hamilton High School received an honorable mention in Math and Computer Science.

The students also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Jayde King, Research Psychologist at the Air Force Research Laboratory, presenting “Human Autonomy Teaming: Sci-Gi Dreams Made Reality” and Ms. Charneta Samms, Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, presenting “Being an Engineer with the Army: The Limit Does Not Exist”.

Our very own Dani Wright, Director of Events and Volunteers, emceed all general sessions alongside John Andrews from Oklahoma State University Honors College. “Traveling to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Virginia Beach was such a wonderful opportunity for our Arizona delegation to convene with some of the brightest young minds from all corners in the United States”, shared Dani, “Students learned from one another as well as getting a peek into cutting edge technology from leading scientists and engineers in our country.”

Maritza’s project titled, Batch Adsorption Study of Methylene Blue using Fresh Prickly Pear Cactus Cladodes as a Model Material for Textile Wastewater Remediation, aimed to understand the effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica as a potential adsorbent for MB by understanding how the parameters, such as contact time, adsorbate dosage and temperature may affect adsorption.

The awards Maritza and the other students received are a testament to their hard work and dedication to STEM fields! Participating in events like JSHS not only gives students the opportunity to showcase their work, but also helps to encourage and motivate them to pursue their interests further. Congratulations to SARSEF students Baochan Fan, Chloe Zhan, Maritza Roberts-Padilla, Prisha Shroff, Valeria Tocanos-Pasos, and all students who participated in JSHS!

Check out our interview with Maritza Roberts-Padilla:

Can you describe your experience at JSHS (both locally and internationally), including any challenges you faced and what you learned from the experience?

JSHS has been one of the most interesting experiences of my high school career. At both the state and national level, I was able to meet so many driven and unique students! Every single person I had a conversation with had a unique view on the field they were studying, and the research was truly impressive; students conducted PhD level research at the age of 16 on everything from AI to ecological conservation. Additionally, it was very exciting to be able to combine my public speaking skills with my science research project as well. JSHS has taught me the importance of science communication, and how the true value in science is derived (largely in part) from allowing others to be able to understand what we research. This way research becomes inviting to everyone and we reduce the factor of intimidation that STEM currently has.

What advice would you give to other students who are interested in pursuing research in STEM fields?

One piece of advice I would give to any student who wants to pursue research within the STEM field is to just give it a chance and believe in yourself! There is legitimately nothing to lose by trying something new out (this goes for anything). Apply to a STEM program or reach out to a professor at the University of Arizona. Most people are excited to help a curious teen out! After you start reading some literature or talking to a mentor, give yourself a month or two to acclimate to the research setting (it’s overwhelming at times), but if you have enough initiative, follow your project through! Don’t expect the research experience to be easy though, you will learn so much every step of the way but also be challenged several times throughout the experience. I can’t emphasize how important it is for a student to go out of their comfort zone, and you never know but you may end up discovering something groundbreaking in your field! Don’t underestimate yourself, if I could do science research, anyone can!

How does it feel to have received recognition at the national level for your research, and what does this achievement mean to you personally?

Having recognition at the National level for my research is something that I haven’t completely processed yet. I was completely new to independent research this year and I oftentimes felt like a fish out of water. Especially as a Latina in STEM, the research experience can feel very isolating at times. Nonetheless, I feel so privileged that the Arizona JSHS judges believed in me enough to have sent my project to Nationals! Most importantly, I’m happy to know that my project was able to, nationally, communicate the importance of environmental chemistry solutions and provide a deeper look at the significance of chemo-adsorption using accessible materials to clean polluted water. The First Place National Chemistry Poster Award is truly an achievement that I never thought achievable, but now I have been encouraged to continue contributing to the adsorption field, and my intellectual curiosity will continue to expand from here! I will bring my knowledge that I have acquired from this project to the International Science and Engineering Fair this May in Dallas, Texas!

If you would like to know more about SARSEF and how you can become engaged in STEM, volunteer for our organization, or donate, visit us at (https://sarsef.org/)

Press Release and Media Alert- You’re Invited!- Students from Across Southern Arizona Will Race Their Solar-Powered Go-Karts They Designed and Built Themselves

(Tucson, Arizona) On Saturday, April 29, 2023, SARSEF will be hosting Racing the Sun- Race Day where students from 15 Southern Arizona High Schools will race their solar-powered go-karts they designed and built themselves through SARSEF’s Racing the Sun program.

The event is a part of SARSEF’s year-round high school engineering programs and will take place at Musselman Honda Circuit (11800 S Harrison Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747) on April 29, 2023, from 12pm-3pm.

Racing the Sun is a hands-on, innovative engineering program that challenges high school students to design, build, and race electric and solar-powered go-karts. Racing the Sun is a college preparatory program available to any Arizona high school.  

Working with teachers, mentors and industry professional advisors, students spend nine months preparing for Race Day. Along the way, they apply the principles of physics, engineering, and energy. Through collaborative efforts with school sites and educators, race teams solve real-world problems, using mathematical, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Students work in teams and are challenged to translate their ideas into a working prototype and build leadership excellence skills.

The event will include hundreds of students and teachers, families, volunteers, as well exhibitors from organizations throughout the state encouraging careers in STEM and providing hands-on activities to the students. For the first time ever, we also have an all-girls team called The Thunder Sisters from Mica Mountain High School.

“I am thrilled to coach an all-girls Racing the Sun Team,” Derek Langley, Mica Mountain High School Teacher, shared. “I believe that any exposure to STEM in K-12 for young women will help increase the number of women who enter STEM fields. This all-girls team will give these women confidence in any future career, especially if they pursue engineering.”

Event Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023

Event Time: 12pm-3pm

Event Location: Musselman Honda Circuit, 11800 S Harrison Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747

About SARSEF:

SARSEF was formed in 1955 in an effort to increase student interest in the field of science. The mission of SARSEF is to engage Arizona’s Pre-K-12 grade students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through inquiry-based learning and research.

SARSEF accomplishes this mission through a variety of programming including a high school mentoring program, the STAR Lab, SARSEF Fair Week, educational outreach programs with an emphasis on underrepresented populations in the sciences, teacher professional development, ACES Camp for Middle School girls, Racing the Sun, and Arizona STEM Adventure.

To learn more about SARSEF programs and how students, teachers, and families can get involved, visit sarsef.org

Media Contact:

Yvonne Pysher, Director of Marketing and Communications

SARSEF

(520) 525-5230

yvonne@sarsef.org

DOWNLOAD PDF OF PRESS RELEASE & MEDIA ALERT

From the SARSEF CEO: Giving Students a Taste of Science

By Julie Euber, CEO, SARSEF

A child stands on their tiptoes, peering over the edge of the counter at their parent swiftly folding dough to make bread for dinner. The child holds on tight to a greased bowl, eagerly watching the parent place the dough inside. Then, right before their eyes, yeast transforms sugar into carbon dioxide, and the dough rises.

For many students, the kitchen is their first laboratory. It’s where, if they know it or not, they see the intersection between science, creativity, and their daily lives.

At SARSEF, we encourage students to notice and wonder about the world around them. We challenge them to ask testable questions and identify problems that relate to their daily lives. We show them how science and engineering can be used to investigate. Because of our approach to science and engineering that centers student experience, food is often the subject of curiosity.

This is evident in many of the projects entered in the SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair (Click here to visit this year’s virtual project floor).

A first grader engineered a better way to serve butter.

An entire second grade class wanted to keep guacamole green for longer.

A third grader wanted to engineer a new flavor of gum – marshmallow!

A sixth grader wanted to find out if the lunch they packed for school every day stayed cool enough to be safe for consumption.

A high school student explored how to best test shrimp for freshness.

With your support this Arizona Gives Day, we can continue to inspire more students to make the connection between food and chemistry. Between nutrition and health. Between science and their own lives – maybe even their futures.

Please consider making a gift today! https://www.azgives.org/sarsef

Projects Referenced:

Your gift can now have a greater impact. The Connie Hillman Family Foundation has committed to granting SARSEF $1 (up to $200,000) for every $2 (up to $400,000) raised through new donors or increased gifts from existing contributors.

About SARSEF:

SARSEF was formed in 1955 in an effort to increase student interest in the field of science. The mission of SARSEF is to engage Arizona’s Pre-K-12 grade students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through inquiry-based learning and research.

SARSEF accomplishes this mission through a variety of programming including a high school mentoring program, the STAR Lab, SARSEF Fair Week, educational outreach programs with an emphasis on underrepresented populations in the sciences, teacher professional development, ACES Camp for Middle School girls, Racing the Sun, and Arizona STEM Adventure.

To learn more about SARSEF programs and how students, teachers, and families can get involved, visit sarsef.org

Press Release: Arizona Students Win More Than $100,000 at the 2023 SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair!

(Tucson, AZ)

In March, SARSEF held their 68th Annual Regional Science and Engineering Fair and hosted a Community STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Expo. The fair provided students the opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for their work in science and engineering. 

Over 20 exhibitors joined the STEM Expo, igniting passion for science through hands-on experiences taught by real-world professionals such as: Center for Negative Carbon Emissions – ASU, Bisbee Science Lab, and the Arizona Science Center.

The SARSEF Fair highlighted the work of 5,949 students and 1,560 projects from over 140 schools, pre-kindergarten through high school, from all over Arizona. Over $100,000 in checks, scholarships, prizes, and trips were given out to students as well as teachers who went above and beyond to support their students’ work. 

“My participation in the SARSEF Fair helped me to realize that research effort has a true influence that goes beyond making scientific developments. Behind each project, students spent months planning and working diligently for the goal of improving the community by sharing their passion for science with others,” shared SARSEF Winner Andrea Hernandez from Rio Rico High School, “I did not understand how much I had evolved personally and professionally until I presented alongside more than a thousand other projects. I feel like a real scientist!”

Andrea Hernandez, Grade 12, Rio Rico High School

257 volunteer judges determined the grand awards, volunteering over 2,570 hours of their time. Judges reviewed projects and interviewed students to determine who will win a prize. 

Valeria Toscano Pasos, who attends Flowing Wells High School, examined the gut-to-brain signaling pathway associated with maintenance of energy homeostasis and nutrient-induced satiation. She was excited to have had the opportunity to present her research and is excited to continue and explore her scientific journey. 

 “SARSEF changed my perspective on science fairs. Seeing the plethora of projects and everyone’s dedication to their projects made it feel less competitive and more community oriented. I hope that my achievements in both SARSEF Fair and JSHS (Junior Science and Humanities Symposium) inspire Flowing Wells students to engage in science and formulate their own projects.”

Valeria Toscano Pasos, Grade 12, Flowing Wells High School

Over 400 Sponsored Awards were given to students. These awards are contributed by individuals or organizations within the community and nationally, supporting and encouraging students to become future leaders and believe in themselves. For example, Jasper Byerley, who attends Doolen Middle School, won the Coding with Commitment Sponsored Award given by Broadcom Foundation. The award included public recognition by the foundation, a $250 gift certificate, and a Raspberry Pi Foundation Official RP 400 Personal Computer Kit. 

Nine students will continue on to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering fair (ISEF) in Dallas, Texas: Andrea Romero (Harvest Preparatory Academy), Ashley Valencia (Harvest Preparatory Academy), Estefany Regalado and Jorge Covarrubias, (Harvest Preparatory Academy), Hannah Feinberg (BASIS Tucson North), Jimena Uribe Lin (Harvest Preparatory Academy), Jimmy Kwon (BASIS Tucson North), Keona Kuo (University High School), and Serena Rezende Tsao (University High School).

Visit the Virtual Fair and review projects in the exhibit hall: https://virtualfair.sarsef.org/exhibit-hall/

View the 2022 Awards List: https://sarsef.org/2023-sarsef-fair-winners-list/

About SARSEF:

SARSEF was formed in 1955 in an effort to increase student interest in the field of science. The mission of SARSEF is to engage Arizona’s Pre-K-12 grade students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through inquiry-based learning and research.

SARSEF accomplishes this mission through a variety of programming including a high school mentoring program, the STAR Lab, SARSEF Fair Week, educational outreach programs with an emphasis on underrepresented populations in the sciences, teacher professional development, ACES Camp for Middle School girls, Racing the Sun, and Arizona STEM Adventure.

To learn more about SARSEF programs and how students, teachers, and families can get involved, visit sarsef.org

Media Contact:

Yvonne Pysher, Director of Marketing and Communications

SARSEF

(520) 525-5230

yvonne@sarsef.org

DOWNLOAD PDF OF PRESS RELEASE