COLLEGE STATION — Seven teams of Marfa High School students and science teacher Elizabeth Donaldson traveled to compete in the 2024 Texas Science & Engineering Fair (TXSEF) this past weekend.
The multi-day event took place at the Texas A&M University Student Recreation Center in College Station. Seven out of 13 teams that competed in regional competitions in February advanced to state, a record for Donaldson. “This was the largest group I have ever taken to the state science fair,” she said.
Though none of the teams will advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair being held in May in Los Angeles, Donaldson said she is still “so impressed with these students and how much work they put into their projects” and is proud of the way they conducted themselves at the fair.
“Here in Marfa, we are blessed with the absolute best students,” Donaldson said. “They are always kind and courteous to everyone they encounter, and I am proud to be in their presence.”
Participating students included Chris Huerta, Loretta Rivera, Diego Jurado, Ayven Pippen, Amaya Gomez, Raven Martinez, Piper Donaldson, Messiah Licon, Isaiah Ramos, Tenessa Hinojos, Joangel Davila and Darren Campos.
Hinojos, who presented on the chemical effects of consumer products on pond life, said it was her first time competing in a state science fair competition, and she enjoyed the variety of projects on display and meeting other students from around the state. “Seeing all of these amazing projects really made me more interested in the sciences and motivated me,” Hinojos said. “I loved meeting people from all over the state who go to private schools and live totally different lives than us. And they were all flipping nerds.”
Davila said he gained experience answering questions on the fly about his solar-powered desalination project for the judges, and hatched ideas for how to improve his project visually in the future. “I’m kinda disappointed that the trip is over, but I learned how I should improve my board,” Davila said.
Campos said competing in the state science fair was a great learning experience and a good time with friends. He, Pippen and Huerta explored the relationship between starlight intensity and distance in their project. “I had a really fun time at the state science fair even though we couldn’t make it farther,” Campos said. “Okay because now we have a good idea of what to expect next year.”