Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Sparks Curiosity In Students With Science Fair

Science fairs are not what they used to be with baking soda volcanos. At the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Science Fair, students are stepping up their game.

It's normal for kids to be curious. Seventh grader Mateo Martinez is curious about how not all bacteria are the same.

"My hypothesis is if germs are everywhere, we would want to know where most of them are and try to stop them before they spread," Mateo said.

He and his partner presented their findings at the Tulsa Regional Science Fair.

"We found that the trashcan and water fountains were the dirtiest ones," he said.

More than a hundred students presented their projects on everything from distracted driving to preserving the life of flowers.

Owasso High School Senior Sophia Hunt is not only teaching others about water quality but also learning new skills herself.

"Science fairs not only give kids a chance to talk to each other and see what others are doing but also talk to adults and learn the ability to talk to a professional and present themselves in a confident way, which will be important," she said.

Judges went around to learn about each project.

"This was the first day that we collected germs,” Mateo explained his project. “It was the urinal, the water fountain and the trash."

They were impressed by what the students were able to find.

"I have seen all kinds of things that I was definitely incapable of when I was their age,” said Jordan Masterson, an Aerospace Design Engineer and one of the judges. “I see kids using all types of software and technology that I use in my everyday work, and it's amazing that they are getting a head start on things that I didn't even know until college."

Science, encouraging kids to continue asking the big questions.

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