Students from Owyhee Combined School and Carlin Combined School earned the top honors at the 2026 Elko County STEM Fair, with projects exploring environmental science, plant biology, and engineering solutions inspired by the natural landscape of northeastern Nevada.
The annual STEM Fair brings together students, educators, and community partners to celebrate hands-on scientific inquiry and innovation. Approximately 420 students from across Elko County participated in this year’s event.
STEM Fair Grand Prize Winners
First Grand Prize was awarded to Sykira Shorty and Kobie Kelly, juniors at Owyhee Combined School, for their project titled “A Comparative Study of Green Roofs, Roofs with Reflective Surfaces, and Conventional Asphalt.”
Their project examined how different roof types affect both internal and external temperatures of a home. The students found that asphalt roofing absorbed the most heat, while reflective roofing reduced indoor temperatures. The green roof maintained the most consistent temperatures both inside and outside the structure.
Shorty and Kelly concluded that incorporating vegetated roofs into building design could improve energy efficiency and potentially help lower temperatures in urban environments.
They received a $400 cash prize donated by Elko Federal Credit Union.
Second Grand Prize was awarded to Trinity Castro, a junior at Owyhee Combined School, for her project titled “Allelopathic Effects of Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush).”
Castro’s study investigated how big sagebrush affects the germination and growth of vegetable seeds. She hypothesized that compounds produced by sagebrush would slow the germination process — a hypothesis her research ultimately supported.
Castro received a $250 cash prize donated by Wilson, Barrows, Salyer and Jones Law Offices.
Third Grand Prize was awarded to Abigail Caple, a junior at Carlin Combined School, for her project titled “Natural Herbicide.”
Caple studied how pine needles and sagebrush influence grass growth. Her research revealed that pine needles contributed to grass growth rather than limiting it, while sagebrush slowed growth but did not completely stop it.
Caple received a $200 cash prize donated by McIntyre Ranch.
Owyhee Combined School science teacher DeeDee Dann said she was proud of her students’ accomplishments.
“I am incredibly proud of my students. First and second grand prize in the same year is awesome,” Dann said. “We often do projects that relate to the environment or plants that grow in our area. I’m always excited because usually I’m learning something new too. The roofing project was especially interesting because we did not expect the green roof would work so well.”
Community Partners Support STEM Learning
The STEM Fair is made possible through strong community partnerships. This year’s exhibitors included:
Nevada Gold Mines
Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital
PACE Coalition
Head Start
Nevada Department of Transportation
Desert Research Institute (DRI) Robotics
Financial support for the event was provided by local businesses and community members, including:
4 Seasons Towing
Accelerated Medical
Carlin Trend Mining Services
Dr. Sergio Guzman Optometry
Elko Federal Credit Union
Elko Motor Company
High Desert Engineering
Jess and Denise Lopategui
Julian Tomera Ranches – Stonehouse Division
LP Insurance Services
Maggie Creek Ranch Inc.
McIntyre Ranch
Nevada Bank and Trust
Richard and Lisa Perry
Simon Family Medicine
Snyder Mechanical
Top Gun Collision Center
Total Eyecare
Wilson, Barrows, Salyer and Jones
Boss Tanks
Friends of STEM Fair
ECSD Administrators Association
Poster Contest Winners
Students were also recognized in the STEM Fair Poster Contest for their creativity and scientific communication.
Poster prize winners include:
Kayleigh Hawkins, 9th grade, Elko High School
Ariana Ramirez, 7th grade, Adobe Middle School
Wyatt Smith, 4th grade, Spring Creek Christian Academy
Lucy Cdebaca, 2nd grade, Grammar No. 2 Elementary School
