After weeks of research and hands-on experiments, young scientists from the Socorro Independent School District showcased their discoveries at the districtwide elementary science fair in November.
Kylo Nava, a fourth grader at Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School, applied his math skills to determine whether the Happy Gilmore — an unconventional golf swing featured in the movie "Happy Gilmore" — produced a longer drive than a standard golf swing.
For his experiment, he hit three golf balls with a regular golf swing, and one with the Happy Gilmore swing, then measured the distances to determine which technique produced the longest drive.
“I really thought the Happy Gilmore swing was going to be the one, and I was right,” Nava said.
Students in third, fourth and fifth grade impressed the judges with 480 science projects at the annual fair. Entries spanned five categories: behavioral science, physical science, life science, engineering, and earth and environmental science. Winners were announced for first, second, and third place in each category, along with three individual sweepstakes winners and one campus sweepstakes winner.
Monica Velarde, SISD elementary science instructional officer, said several of the projects had the potential to impact the world, especially those related to artificial intelligence.
“I see future engineers here. I see future scientists,” Velarde said. “There are projects where they're testing the levels of sugar in your body, and they created a prototype to see how much sugar you have in your body. So that tells me that they're already looking into being a scientist, being a doctor. There are a lot of projects that are going to impact our community in the future if the students continue with that project.”
She also thanked parents for being all in to help their children with their projects and supporting them at the fair.
Annette Carrasco, whose son Sebastian Steele is a third grader at Campestre Elementary School, said the science fair inspired her son to explore his interests.
After his flashlight stopped working, Sebastian became curious about how it worked and chose it for his science fair project.
“We had a couple of flashlights that broke down, and he was like, ‘Mom, what happened to them? Well, I don't know, babe, but let's figure it out.’ And it was something that he's like, you know what, let's do this!” Carrasco said.
Steele was proud that his project was selected to represent his school at the district science fair.
“What's so cool about the science fair is that you go against a bunch of other people, and it doesn't matter if you win. All that matters is if you just make it to the district” Steele said.
2025 SISD Elementary Science Fair winners
Campus Sweepstakes Winner
Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
3rd Grade Winners
Behavioral and Social Science
1st Place – Dante Morillo Coronado, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School*
2nd Place – Leila Andrade, Benito Martinez Elementary School
3rd Place – Daniela Acuña, Chester E. Jordan Elementary School
Life Science
1st Place – Luis Aguirre, Loma Verde Elementary School
2nd Place – Aubrey Tofilon, Myrtle Cooper Elementary School
3rd Place – Alexa Romero, Escontrias STEAM Academy
Physical Science
1st Place – Samantha Caballero, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
2nd Place – Julius Nungaray, Lujan-Chavez Elementary School
3rd Place – Alexandra Molina, James P. Butler Elementary School
Engineering
1st Place – Axel Rios, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
2nd Place – Jose Ramirez III, Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy
3rd Place – Abigail Sanchez, Myrtle Cooper Elementary School
Earth and Environmental Science
1st Place – Adela Dorador, John Drugan School
2nd Place – Tone Pulou Jr., Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy
3rd Place – Emma Chavez, Sierra Vista STEAM Academy
4th Grade Winners
Behavioral and Social Science
1st Place – Sebastian Gomez, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
2nd Place – Ashton Amato, James P. Butler Elementary School
3rd Place – Noah Valtierra, Loma Verde Elementary School
Life Science
1st Place – Jackson Jimenez-Grimes, Mission Ridge ES
2nd Place – Daisy Sapien, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
3rd Place – Alina Segura, Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco Elementary School
Physical Science
1st Place – Gabriel Alvarado, James P. Butler Elementary School
2nd Place – Darian Gonzalez, Sierra Vista STEAM Academy
3rd Place – Laila Meraz, Jane Hambric School
Engineering
1st Place – Adriel Sandoval, Cactus Trails Elementary School*
2nd Place – Avery Miller-Gates, Helen Ball Elementary School
3rd Place – Julian Terrazas, Ernesto Serna Fine Arts Academy
Earth and Environmental Science
1st Place – Cameron Martin, O'Shea Keleher Whole Child Academy
2nd Place – Jolene Sirmin, James P. Butler Elementary School
3rd Place – Elias Villagomez Guerrero, Jane Hambric School
5th Grade Winners
Behavioral and Social Science
1st Place – Alessa Martinez, Cactus Trails Elementary School
2nd Place – Liam Jolley, Loma Verde Elementary School
3rd Place – Diego Terrazas, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School
Life Science
1st Place – Frank David Macias III, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
2nd Place – Benjamin Vasquez, Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy
3rd Place – Aneliese Remes, Lujan-Chavez Elementary School
Physical Science
1st Place – Ximena Velazquez, Loma Verde School
2nd Place – Maximiliano Hinojos, Myrtle Cooper Elementary School
3rd Place – Kamden Cena, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
Engineering
1st Place – Robin Mota, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School*
2nd Place – Richard Deck, John Drugan School
3rd Place – Khago Nguena, Sierra Vista STEAM Academy
Earth and Environmental Science
1st Place – Matthew Rodriguez, Loma Verde Elementary School
2nd Place – Aubri McLean, Lujan-Chavez Elementary School
3rd Place – Kristian Zapata, John Drugan School
Mathematics
1st Place – Ezra Perez, John Drugan School
2nd Place – Cash Lujan, Escontrias STEAM Academy
3rd Place – Abner Alonso, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
*Sweepstakes Winners