Students from the Tanque Verde Schools once again demonstrated exceptional curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence at the SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair, earning recognition among the top young researchers in the region.
This year’s regional fair featured approximately 1,500 student projects and more than $100,000 in prizes, scholarships, and experiential opportunities. Among this impressive field, TVUSD students stood out with multiple top-place finishes and a wide range of innovative projects.
Highlights of TVUSD award winners include:
First Place Projects:
“Skittle Me This: What Are the Odds?” – Stacy Marr’s class, TVES
“Investigating Chemoattractant-Specific Temporal Activation of mTORC2–PKC Signaling Pathways in Human Breast Epithelial Cells” – Finnegan McGill, TVHS
ISEF Finalist and UA Scholarship Winner
“Upwind-Downwind Drone Vertical Profiles Quantify Urban Effects on Multi-Pollutant Composition…” – Noah McGill & Luca McGill, TVHS
“A Cooler Road Solution” – Natalia Hoenecke, EGJH
“Roots Without Rules” – Riona Avenente, ACES
Second Place Projects:
“Improving a Nectar Feeder for Woodpeckers” – Harriet Nelson, TVES
“Cat Christmas Tree” – Catalina Cardoza, EGJH
“Which Type of Horse Bedding is Most Absorbent?” – Mia Verenna, EGJH
“Making Solar Ovens” – Deb Goepfrich’s class, ACES
Third Place Projects:
“From Hot to Not: Which Cup Keeps Coffee the Warmest?” – Holden Huntington, TVES
“Meltdown in Space: A Comet Size Experiment” – Madden Webb, TVES
“Optimizing a Glider to Fly on Saturn’s Moon Titan Using AI” – Kent Olsson, TVHS
“The Moon’s Impact on Tides” – Alicia Chicas, EGJH
“Operation Desert Deluge” – Ilsa Chute, EGJH
“Glow Rope 2.0” – Sadie Fry, EGJH
For a full list of TVUSD winners and links to their projects, CLICK HERE: 2026 SARSEF Winners from TVUSD
Participation in the SARSEF Regional Fair not only recognizes student achievement but also opens doors to future opportunities. Finnegan McGill, senior at TVHS, a top competitor from the 2025 SARSEF advanced to the ISEF an international-level competition, and proudly represented the Tanque Verde Schools, our community, and Arizona on a global stage.
The success of TVUSD students is a testament to the dedication of their teachers, the support of their families, and the district’s continued focus on fostering inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. Through experiences like SARSEF, students are empowered to explore their passions, develop innovative solutions, and build the skills necessary to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.