The interns conducted their science experiments under the tutelage of University of Guam STEM faculty and produced an array of projects, with topics focusing on corals, plant species, soil erosion, and technology.

Dr. Claudia Taitano, founder of the annual Island Wide Science Fair and judge, offered high praise to each of the participants.

“Each and every one of you did an amazing job,” Taitano told the students. “The projects I see here are high caliber and are very capable of winning at the Island Wide Science Fair.”

(From left) NSF INCLUDES High School Science Fair second place winner Anica Camacho, first place winner Jerome Ariola, and third place winner Isabella Certeza, share a photo together.

NSF INCLUDES High School Science Fair winners:

• First place: Jerome S. Ariola, John F. Kennedy High School, “Aerial Photogrammetry and Usage of 3D Modeling Software for Remote Sensing to Measure Slope Failure Characteristics
• Second place: Anica B. Camacho, “The Promotion of Secondary Succession of Guam’s Southern Bandlands by Evaluating the Allochory Seed Dissemination of Barringtonia asiatica, Bikkia mariannensis, Terminalia catappa, Hibiscus tiliaceus”
• Third place: Isabella Certeza, George Washington High School, “What Native Savanna and Strand Species of High Vegetation Best Prevents Erosion?”

The NSF INCLUDES Pilot:

Growing STEM Program is run by Principal Investigator Dr. Austin J. Shelton III and Co-principal investigators Dr. Cheryl Sangueza and Else Demeulenaere. INCLUDES stands for the Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science.

The program has provided research, mentorship, and training to 30 high school students, eight undergraduate students, and two graduate students since it began in 2018. The program has since spread the awareness and importance of STEM to thousands in the community through educational outreach activities.