RISING to the challenge
STEM students show ‘what they have to offer for the future’
Over the course of three days last week at Expo New Mexico, students from across central New Mexico had their research projects reviewed and scored by judges in the 2024 edition of the Central New Mexico STEM Research Challenge.
The projects were diverse, ranging from fields such as biochemistry and computer science to animal and plant sciences. Students in grades fourth through 12th had an opportunity to flex their scientific and mathematical muscles.
In honor of their work, select students and their families whose projects exceeded judges’ expectations were invited to the Student Union Building at the University of New Mexico on Sunday to take part in the challenge’s grand awards ceremony.
Among the excited students and families waiting to enter the grand ballroom was challenge judge Jennifer Nilvo. A STEM research teacher for the past 12 years, Nilvo also has served as a challenge judge chair as well.
Nilvo said she has had an interest in STEM research since she was 12 years old. Building off of that love, Nilvo was drawn to the challenge to see how future generations have advanced the field.
“To be able to come back and see different generations doing research is amazing to see,” she said. “I love interviewing them, talking to them and seeing what they have to offer for the future.”
Once the ballroom’s doors finally opened, people filled up the seats, anxiously waiting the start of the award ceremony.
For the past 22 years, Karen Kinsman has served as the director and senior manager at the UNM STEM-H Center
and has overseen the challenge. In that time, Kinsman said she’s always been thankful for the opportunity provided to students to delve into their curiosity and explore STEM through their research projects.
“Our hope is that challenges like this allow students the opportunity to try things out and find the areas in which they have their own passion,” Kinsman said. “I really hope (students) continue to learn and find out what’s out there in the world in terms of STEM and understanding that it’s way more than we think in our heads right now.”
Kinsman and her co-master of ceremonies, KOAT 7 meteorologist Byron Morton, were tasked with handing out awards to the winners.
Four students were awarded the opportunity to attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, which is taking place next month in Los Angeles.
Among the four selected were Albuqeurque Academy junior Akilan Sankaran and his sister Sowmya, a freshman at the school. The siblings admitted they’ve always had a bit of a sibling rivalry, especially when it comes to academics. Sowmya Sankaran said she’s always looked up to her older brother and his work in science fair projects.
“I watched him go through the process of middle and high school science fairs when I was still little, so having a role model to look up to like that has really helped me,” she said.
The siblings said they are looking forward to the opportunity to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair and share their love of STEM with each other and other fair attendees.
“I’m excited to go and interact with people in a diverse range of fields,” Akilan said.
Gino Gutierrez is the good news reporter at the Albuquerque Journal. If you have an idea for a good news story, you can contact him at goodnews@ abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3940.