Over 400 elementary students from the Socorro Independent School District demonstrated their outstanding science skills while fostering an interest for scientific exploration and discovery at the district’s 2024-25 elementary science fair on Nov. 2 at Socorro High School.
Sofia Nungaray, a fourth grader at Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy, combined her love for music with her experiment on how music affects the heart.
Nungaray used a pulse oximeter on ten volunteers to determine how songs with different beats per minute—from soothing ballads to rapid melodies—impact heart rates.
“I knew how music affected me, so I want to see how it affected others,” said Nungaray, who participated in last year’s science fair. She concluded that slow songs decreased heart rates, while mid-tempo songs either increased heart rates or kept them steady. Additionally, she found that heart rates varied with fast songs.
“I wanted to do the science fair again because I wanted to show my knowledge,” Nungaray said.
Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades showcased their science projects at the annual districtwide fair. Projects were divided into five categories: behavioral science, physical science, life science, engineering, and earth and environmental science. Only fifth graders competed in the mathematics category. 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, elementary science instructional officer, said the science fair was an excellent opportunity to introduce young students to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
She also emphasized that the science fair would not be possible without the support from parents.
“I really want to thank parents. If it wasn't for parents, the students would not be here. There are so many parents today cheering them on,” Velarde said.
Jessica Lozano attended the fair to show her support for her son, Kobe Lozano, a third grader at Robert R. Rojas Elementary School.
Kobe Lozano's project aimed to determine which store products made the stretchiest slime.
“Elmer's Magical Liquid is a stretchier slime,” Kobe Lozano concluded.
Jessica Lozano took her son to the library to research science projects. She said one of the benefits of the science fair is that it allows students to read and do research on topics they are interested in.
“It's really fun, especially because he loves science, so it's really cool to, you know, to see something related to education but also to his interest,” Lozano said.
2024 SISD Elementary Science Fair winners
Campus Sweepstakes Winner
James P. Butler Elementary
3rd Grade Winners
Behavioral and Social Science
1st Place – Emilia Moreno, Sierra Vista STEAM Academy
2nd Place – Aston Amato, James P. Butler Elementary School
3rd Place – Damian Martinez, Escontrias STEAM Academy
Life Science
1st Place – Alexa Perea, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
2nd Place – Anderson Duran, Benito Martinez Elementary School
3rd Place – Alexander Perez, Sgt. Jose Carrasco Elementary School
Physical Science
1st Place – Kylo Nava, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
2nd Place – Romeo Drennan, Sierra Vista STEAM Academy
3rd Place – Melody Hernandez, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
Engineering
1st Place – Vivian Palomino, Bill Sybert School
2nd Place – Yazmin Negrete, Loma Verde Elementary School
3rd Place – Jeremy Ginocchio, Chester E. Jordan Elementary School
Earth and Environmental Science
1st Place – Jaelyn Rodriguez, Loma Verde Elementary School
2nd Place – Isabella Mendez, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
3rd Place – Henry Fernandez, James P. Butler Elementary School
Sweepstakes Winner
Alexa Perea, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
4th Grade Winners
Behavioral and Social Science
1st Place – Ludelis Lozada, James P. Butler Elementary School
2nd Place – Ethan Hernandez, John Drugan School
3rd Place – Elise Chavez, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School
Life Science
1st Place – David Macias, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
2nd Place – Madelyn Cameron, Chester E. Jordan Elementary School
3rd Place – Lilly Ruiz, Cactus Trails Elementary School
Physical Science
1st Place – Meztli Bueno, Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy
2nd Place – Liam Jolley, Loma Verde Elementary School
3rd Place – Noemi Lopez, Horizon Heights Elementary School
Engineering
1st Place – Jesus Gonzalez, Campestre Elementary School
2nd Place – Luis Villanueva, Robert R. Rojas Elementary School
3rd Place – Derek Gutierrez, John Drugan School
Earth and Environmental Science
1st Place – Matthew Rodriguez, Loma Verde Elementary School
2nd Place – Isabella Yamaguchi, Escontrias STEAM Academy
3rd Place – Enrique Cisneros, Ernesto Serna Fine Arts Academy
Sweepstakes Winner
David Macias, Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School
5th Grade Winners
Behavioral and Social Science
1st Place – Renata Chavez, O’Shea Keleher Elementary School
2nd Place – Sofia Senclair, Robert R. Rojas Elementary School
3rd Place – Addison Keyte, Cactus Trails Elementary School
Life Science
1st Place – Avery Brody, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School
2nd Place – Christina Portillo, Mission Ridge Elementary School
3rd Place – Christian Trejo, Horizon Heights Elementary School
Physical Science
1st Place – Isaias Peraza, John Drugan School
2nd Place – Charlotte Duran, Siera Vista STEAM Academy
3rd Place – Mia Lujan, James P. Butler Elementary School
Engineering
1st Place – Sebastian Reyes, John Drugan School
2nd Place – Paulo Martinez, Purple Heart Elementary School
3rd Place – Leilani Duran, Escontrias STEAM Academy
Earth and Environmental Science
1st Place – Loany Rosado, James P. Butler Elementary School
2nd Place – Sofia Chavez, John Drugan School
3rd Place – Mia Iniguez, Desert Wind School
Mathematics
1st Place – Amariah Adame, Sgt. Jose Carrasco Elementary School
2nd Place – Scarlett Perches, James P. Butler Elementary School
3rd Place – Alyss Manning, Horizon Heights Elementary School
Sweepstakes Winner
Avery Brody, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School