Bend Science Station students make their mark at COCC Regional Science Expo, earn top honors, national recognition
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Eight high school students from the Bend Science Station made an impressive mark at the COCC Regional Science Expo on Friday, March 7, earning top awards and securing spots at both the Northwest Science Expo and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair — the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition.
In an exceptional showcase of scientific research, BSS students took home:
-Three 1st place category awards
-Two 2nd place awards
-Two 3rd place awards
-Ten special awards, including two $2,000 OSU General Scholarships
Notably, all seven research projects advanced to the 2025 Northwest Science Expo in Portland on April 11, and two students will compete on the global stage at ISEF in Columbus, OH, from May 10-16.
"These students have shown incredible curiosity and dedication—designing experiments, analyzing data, and presenting their findings. Their success is a testament to the power of hands-on STEM education and the impact of the Science Station," said David Bermudez, Executive Director.
Here is a look at the student projects and the awards they earned at the COCC Regional Science Expo.
Bodie Dimmig (Summit High School)
Project: The effect of the color of light on asphalt-reflected light pollution
2nd place Engineering; Outstanding Project by an 11th Grade Student; OSU General Scholarship
Vida Halpern (Bend Senior High)
Project: An exploration on the effects of low-density polyethylene plastic and biodegradable plastic on the Blue Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotusostreatus columinus)
3rd place Engineering; Ricoh Sustainable Development Award
Brandon García Huerta (Caldera High School)
Project: An exploration of radon concentrations emitted from two Bend, Oregon neighborhoods
3rd place Life Science; NASA Earth System Science Award; U.S. Air Force Outstanding Project
Connor Huet and Tristan Huet (Summit High School)
Project: Developing and Evaluating Conductive Filaments for 3D Printing Applications
1st place Engineering; 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalists (second consecutive year)
Max Knoth (Summit High School)
Project: The Effect of Fire Retardant (PHOS-CHEK) on the germination and growth of Pinus ponderosa
1st place Life Science; NOAA's Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award
Sofia Matrisciano (Bend Senior High)
Project: These Bacteria Are Very Cultured! An Exploration of the Effects of Copper (II) Chloride on Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C
1st place Life Science; Outstanding Geoscience Project; OSU General Scholarship
Luke Shirtcliff (Summit High School)
Project: An exploration of phosphate concentration on the growth of the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana)
2nd place Life Science; Outstanding Use of the International System of Units
The Bend Science Station empowers K-12 youth and educators through hands-on STEM education. Their independent research program gives high school students the opportunity to conduct their own real-world scientific experiments, working in collaboration with experienced scientists and the local STEM industry.
For more information about the Bend Science Station and its programs, visit www.bendsciencestation.org.
