Jovens pesquisadores exploram grandes questões na Feira de Ciência e Engenharia do Estado de Oklahoma.

STILLWATER, Okla. – Many of Oklahoma’s brightest young minds were in Stillwater on Friday, competing in the State Science and Engineering Fair. From physics to biomedical and health, there were more than 150 projects.

Curiosity Driving Discovery

In a room full of posters, charts, and demonstrations, the final product is easy to see, but long before the students made it to the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair, they had to come up with a question. Some projects began with combined passions, like David Randall and Garrett Halderman’s Vici High School project on Space Sonification. “So we turned the orbital frequencies into music,” said Halderman. Others were inspired by everyday life, even something as routine as preparing dinner. “My parents, when they used to eat meat a lot more, would leave chicken out to thaw it out,” said Saniya Pratt, a middle school student at Sadler Arts Academy in Muskogee. “And I kind of wondered was that the best way to thaw it out?” Jeanette Sherwood and her family drove two hours from Quapaw to present her research on germination rates, a project that started with wondering how seeds might fare if they were freeze-dried. “I really like playing with my freeze-drier and storage methods,” said Sherwood. “And if we can freeze-dry food, why can’t we freeze plants?”

Research That’s Personal

For seventh-grader Anthony Kidangathazhe, his project on co-morbidities of ADHD is more than just an assignment – it’s personal. “I personally have ADHD, and I’ve seen and read articles surrounding ADHD and how researchers have tried to hide the fact that they have ADHD for fear of stigma and doubting their work, so that really stuck with me,” said the Stillwater Middle School student. In addition to his complex data, he said he learned about some of his own quirks, too. Kidangathazhe hopes to follow in his parents’ footsteps. Both are researchers at Oklahoma State University.

Finding Confidence in Unexpected Places

Not every student walked into the fair feeling like a scientist. Eighth-grader Emily Johnson admits she wasn’t sure science was her thing – but she found her footing through a unique experiment. “My project is basically talking to rice,” she said, Her project tested how words might affect how moldy the rice got by talking differently to three jars over five weeks, a variation on an idea by Dr. Masuru Emoto. “Every morning and evening when I open up the blinds, I talked to the rice,” she said. “People probably thought I was crazy, but it worked.” Through the experience, she discovered something bigger than her project. “Even if you don’t like science, it’s everywhere,” said Johnson.

A Generation Thinking Critically About the Future

Beyond their individual projects, many students are already grappling with complex issues shaping the future – including artificial intelligence. “Sometimes the future of AI worries me,” said Pratt. “It’s just something you can’t use blindly.” They’re not just using new tools – they’re questioning them. “I basically can have it review my work, see if there’s any major issues,” said Kidangathazhe. “It can also help me find different papers, but at the same time, AI can also hallucinate data and ruin projects.” For these students, science is about asking hard questions and seeking reliable answers. “I don’t like uncertainties, and I always want to know that something is an absolute,” said Kidangathazhe. “And I always like learning new things.”

Big Dreams Already Taking Shape

While the projects on display are impressive, the ambitions behind them are even bigger. “I actually plan to be a doctor in the future,” said Pratt. Kidangathazhe plans to go into biomedical engineering. Emmalyn Corral did a project about sleep, but she dreams of being an astronomer. “Maybe science can be in my life, and maybe I can become a therapist when I grow up,” said Johnson. The winners of the state fair will move on to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair in May. For more information on the state science fair, click here.