Collage of Elementary Science Fair Winners

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

Socorro ISD elementary science fair event photos