2024 Special Awards
Special Awards for OSSEF 2024 were announced during the Grand Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Special awards include but are not limited to, donor-sponsored awards, awards for the best science or engineering project within a specific area, cash awards, and scholarships for attending Oklahoma State University.
Regeneron ISEF Team
These students will represent Team Oklahoma at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, CA in May!
- 2024 ISEF Attendees selected from OSSEF
Likhitha Pasala - Bartlesville High School
Erina Katoh - Booker T Washington High School
Rylee Ruddick & Fin Salerno - Bartlesville High School
- 2024 ISEF Attendees selected from their regional fair
Tulsa Regional Fair:
Harini Senthil
Jack Carson
Bartlesville Regional Fair:
Adit Paul
Eve Vaclaw
Xenon Sparlock
Muskogee Regional Fair
Malee Reichert & Macie Massengale
Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge
The following 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have been selected to participate in the very prestigious Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge competition.
- 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge participants
Abigaeil Jiang - Sadler Arts Academy
Alexandra Graber - University School
Caytie Couch - Quapaw Middle School
Grace Noviski - Undercroft Montessori School
Isabel Thoreson - Central Middle School
Rick Lenan & Zoe Jordan - OSIEL
Karis Shamhart - Madison Middle School
Makena Phelps - Stratford Middle School
OSSEF COMMUNITY "FAN FAVORITE"
We hosted the OSSEF Community Day on Saturday afternoon, where many community members had the opportunity to learn about the research you conducted. They were asked to select a "Fan Favorite".
Nick Du
Madison Middle School
Elliot Hutchinson
Grove High School
The American Psychological Association
One student (or project) is recognized for outstanding research in psychological science under the category of behavioral and social sciences. The student(s) receive(s) an APA certificate with a complimentary 1-year student affiliate membership to APA which includes a subscription to the American Psychological Association journal, and access to APA’s Psychology student network.
Jace Fink
Grove Middle School
The Association for Women Geoscientists
An award to a female student whose project exemplifies high-standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences. Special consideration was given to projects that increase public awareness of the geosciences, illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the geosciences, or promote the sensitivity to the earth as a global system.
Anna Rogers
Undercroft Montessori School
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Recognizes one student (or project) whose work offers the greatest insight into Earth’s interconnected systems.
Byron Davis
Heritage Hall
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award
Recognizes a student for their research emphasizing NOAA-related science.
Anna Rogers
Undercroft Montessori School
The Regeneron Biomedical Science Award
Recognizes a student in the categories of Biochemistry, Biomedical, Health Sciences, or Microbiology.
Alex Kidangathazhe
Stillwater High School
The RICOH Sustainable Development Award
RICOH supports a sustainable society. This award recognizes a project that addresses a social and environmental challenge and a meaningful solution for a more sustainable future. This includes reducing our environmental impact and working to conserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystems.
Ethan Todd
Central Middle School
The Society for In Vitro Biology Award
For an outstanding 11th-grade student exhibiting in the area of plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture.
Rylee Ruddick and Fin Salerno
Bartlesville High School
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The Science Champion Award recognizes an exceptional individual student or team project that has the potential to make an impact on addressing international development challenges to significantly impact the lives of people around the world.
William Bolding and Jackson Boudreaux
Bartlesville High School
The U.S. Metric Association Award
Recognizes a student for the use of quantitative data identified with current SI metric measurements.
Alex Kidangathazhe
Stillwater High School
The U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Recognizes students in grades 9 – 12, for their research involving water quality.
- U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Tori Greb and Kenslie Jantzen - Ringwood High School
Arial Diaz Salinas and Sophia Hunt - Owasso High School
The United States Air Force
Recognizes students for their research in science or engineering research of interest to the Air Force.
- United States Air Force Award
Erina Katoh - Booker T Washington High School
David and Kevin Contreras - Bartlesville High School
Lydia Kent - Homeschool
Ruben Salazar - Woodward High School
The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize
Given to one project of a Division II student in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who demonstrates problem-solving by identifying a critical problem and potential solution that impacts their life or the lives of their family or community; displays entrepreneurial thinking by developing a tangible invention; or exemplifies environmentally responsible thinking as part of their research.
Zoe Jordan and Rick Lenan
OSIEL
The U.S. Department of Defense STEM Leadership Award
Recognizes a 6th, 7th, or 8th-grade student or team that demonstrates excellence in STEM, problem-solving skills, and determination to overcome challenges throughout the research project.
Sophie Gossen
Credo Homeschool Academy
Yale Science and Engineering Association
Recognizes a 6th, 7th, or 8th-grade student or team that demonstrates excellence in STEM, problem-solving skills, and determination to overcome challenges throughout the research project.
Erina Katoh
Booker T Washington High School
The Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE)
(OESE) is a non-profit educational organization that seeks to inform the public about the methods and values of science and advocates excellence in the science curriculum. The OESE recognizes a Division I and a Division II project that best displays sound science involving evolution or climate change. Teachers of each student will also receive a cash award and a one-year membership to the OESE organization.
Likhitha Pasala (student) and Shelley Brown (teacher)
Bartlesville High School
Anna Rogers (student) and Ashley Dignan (teacher)
Undercroft Montessori School
The Oklahoma Section of the American Chemical Society
Recognizes students for their research in the area of chemistry.
- Junior Division Award Recipients
1st Place
Karis Shamhart
Central Middle School
2nd Place
Abby Fielder
Central Middle School
3rd Place
Caroline Boudreaux
Madison Middle School
- Senior Division Award Recipients
1st Place
William Bolding and Jackson Boudreaux
Bartlesville High School
2nd Place
Bryan Nguyen
Cascia Hall
3rd Place
Ava Dennis
Bartlesville High School
The Department of Animal and Food Sciences
At Oklahoma State University, in the Ferguson College of Agriculture, this award recognizes up to three Senior Division students conducting research in Animal Science or agricultural sciences. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 college scholarship when enrolling in the OSU Animal and Food Sciences degree program.
Callen Veit
Morrison High School
Seth Dunivan
Morrison High School
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
At Oklahoma State University, in the Ferguson College of Agriculture, this award recognizes one outstanding Senior Division student with a $500 scholarship upon enrolling in a degree program with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
William Bolding and Jackson Boudreaux
Bartlesville High School
The Department of Plant and Social Sciences
At Oklahoma State University in the Ferguson College of Agriculture, is recognizing Division I students in the OSSEF categories of Plant Sciences and Earth & Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 college scholarship when they enroll in the OSU Plant and Soil Sciences degree program.
- Scholarship recipients from Plant Sciences
Jeanette Jordan - Quapaw High School
Likhitha Pasala - Bartlesville High School
Haiely Hiatt and Eisley Sewell - Bartlesville High School
Tori Greb and Kenslie Jantzen - Ringwood High School
Eli Harrel - VICI High School
Molly Warren - Morrison High School
Byron Davis - Heritage Hall
- Scholarship recipients from Earth & Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources
Arial Dias Salinas and Sophia Hunt - Owasso High School
Ella Rudkins, Braylee Scott, and Harper Talley - Hobart High School
Ethan Todd - Northwest Technology Center
Fin Salerno and Rylee Ruddick - Bartlesville High School
The Boone Pickens School of Geology
At Oklahoma State University, recognizes a student with a $100 cash award, and with eligibility upon admittance to the Boone Pickens School of Geology with a $1,500 scholarship to be applied in their first semester, with a major in Geology or Geophysics and have a 3.0 GPA. The recipient’s teacher also receives a cash award.
Arial Diaz Salinas and Sophia Hunt (students)
Shannon Chatwin (teacher)
Owasso High School
The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT)
At Oklahoma State University, recognizes three scholarships. Selected students will receive their scholarship after their first semester with the College of Engineering, Architecture and technology.
Rubin Salazar
Woodward High School; $2,000 scholarship
Adit Paul
Bartlesville High School; $3,000 scholarship
Kevin and David Contreras
Bartlesville High School; $4,000 scholarship
The College of Arts and Sciences
Recognizes Senior Division students with outstanding projects in categories aligned with academic areas under the college. Awardees and their teachers each win a $100 cash award.
Callen Veit | Tammy Will
Morrison High School
Lincoln Coleman, Dodger Sloan, and Nicolas Sant'Anna | Robin Coleman
Arnett High School
William Bolding & Jackson Boudreaux | Jessica Strain
Bartlesville High School
Lillian Jones and George Panagopoulos | Chaunna Steen
Cascia Hall
Rylee Ruddick & Fin Salerno | Jessica Strain
Bartlesville High School
Erina Katoh | Sharon Lazdins
Booker T Washington High School
Alex Kidangathzhe |
Stillwater High School
Adriana Van Eman | Jessica Strain
Bartlesville High School