Salk STEM Students Earn Spots at State Science Fair

Salk STEM Magnet School is celebrating the outstanding achievements of its students at the 88th Annual Twin Cities Regional Science Fair. A total of 37 projects from the talented Grade 7 and 8 showcased the school’s scientific prowess, with nearly two-thirds of the entries earning the right to advance to the next level of competition.

Following a highly competitive school science fair at SMS in December with more than 500 projects judged by community volunteers, 37 Salk students advanced to the Regional Fair. At the Regional Fair,  23 Salk Middle School student projects (out of more than 350 regional entries) have qualified for the Minnesota State Science Fair, with an additional four projects named as alternates.

These students demonstrated exceptional scientific thinking and creativity and will advance to the Minnesota State Science Fair on March 27th, 2026.

Students Advancing to the MN State Fair:

• Avery Eason

• Aria Lanz

• Sophia Edman

• Korra Foley

• Henry Miller and Cruz Rosstedt

• Wonderful Ngungkpan

• Mason Dubovich and Hunter Smith

• Mariah Jones

• Jesse Ball and Tyrion Strande

• Caitlin Fox

• Savannah Krueger

• Fatoumata Marong

• Sunniva Rekstad and Ashlyn Reynolds

• Grace Schmitz

• Tatem Stiller

• Abigail Boehlert

• Anika Crouch

• Jamie Olson and Molly Skelly

• Aden Trail

• Josie Tripp

• McKenna Wells

• Dane Westcott

State Science Fair Alternates: Penelope Strock, Kaylee Brock, Bennett Feld and Ryan Pim, and Colbie Anderson.

Special Recognition and Prestigious Awards

In addition to advancing to state, several students earned special awards from professional organizations:

• Grace Schmitz: American Chemical Society, Thermo Fisher Jr Innovators' Challenge

• Wonderful Ngungkpan: Office of Naval Research Award

• Luke Turner: Aquatic Science Honorable Mention

• Penelope Brown: Integrated Science Award

• Avery Eason and Aria Lanz: S.A.V.E. award (Students Achieving Volunteering Excellence)

• Mason Dubovich and Hunter Smith: Thermo Fisher Jr Innovator's Challenge

• Mariah Jones: United States Department of Agriculture Research Service, Thermo Fisher Jr Innovators Challenge

• Matthew Rosen, Henry Miller and Cruz Rosstedt, and Tatem Stiller: Minnesota Space Frontier Society

Teacher Receives Prestigious Recognition

In addition to student achievement, Salk Middle School teacher Caitlin Grandell was also honored at the event. Ms. Grandell, in her 11th year of teaching at Salk, earned the Inspiring Excellence Teacher Award, which is awarded to one supporting teacher at the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair each year.

Other regional participants who contributed to Salk’s success included: Matthew Rosen, Grayson Imig, Aaradhya Niraula, Jace Prange, Jackson Wolverton, Mac DeLeo, Luke Turner, Penelope Brown, Owen Luitjens and Jace Mikrut, and Viv Oelrich.

Science fairs are a vital part of Salk Magnet School’s STEM education program, helping students learn real-world problem-solving, develop communication skills, build confidence in scientific thinking, and connect with other young scientists.