2026 Science Fair Winners

The Newcomb Academy PTSA is proud to highlight these students for their outstanding, best-in show submissions to the 2026 Science Fair:

Grade 6-8

Best Discovery Projects: 

This category received the most submissions, so we selected winners from each grade.

Heidi H. (8), who presented a data-based review of American religious beliefs and how they contrast with other industrialized nations.

Addie C. (7), who researched how humans associate thoughts and emotions with different colors, especially within a cultural context.

Karina K. (6), who wrote a thorough report on weather patterns in southern California, and the fundamental forces affecting them.

Allison S. (6), who presented the origins of sonic booms caused by hypersonic jet planes.

Best Engineering Design Project:

Austen T. (6), who researched historical and modern ways to harness water to generate power, and built her own hydro-electrical generator.

Best Experiment Project:

Olivia E. (6), who adjusted the amounts of each ingredient used in baking a classic cake, in order to determine which contributes most to a cake's firmness.

Grade 4-5

Best Discovery Project:

Willa S. (5), whose passion for the environment drove her research into pollution and its effects on living organisms.

Best Engineering Design Project:

CW W. (5), who used 3D CAD software and a PETG filament printer to design and improve a magnetic handlebar holder for his dad's truck, to keep bicycles from falling over without an expensive bicycle rack.

Best Experiment Projects:

Britt W. (5), who tested the effectiveness of various materials in filtering dirty water.

Kendrick B. (4), who measured the water consumption of his personal shower habits, and used that data to advocate for home water conservation.

Myles M. (4), who tested the effectiveness of different bulkhead configurations aboard large passenger ships, motivated by uncertainty about the Titanic's bulkheads and their failure to stabilize the ship after its famous accident.

"Science Star" Honorable Mention awards

The judges also selected some honorable mention projects. In alphabetical order:

Canon A. (3)

Beau A. (3)

Olivia B. (8)

Piper B. (3)

Rowan B. (3)

Mars C. (3)

Bryce C. (8)

Colleen D. (2)

Ignacio H. (6)

Amelia F. (K)

Dominic K. (2)

Dahlia K. (TK)

Isaiah K. (3)

Grant L. (3)

Natalia L. (1)

Elizabeth M. (5)

Riley P. (K)

Ada T. (3)

Auryn T. (1)

Nolan W. (6)