Students, educators, and families gathered this past weekend at the University of Guam (UOG) Science Building to celebrate innovation and discovery at the 48th Guam Islandwide Science Fair, marking another successful year for one of the island’s longest-running academic events.
Held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the fair featured a full day of project exhibitions following a Friday evening setup that transformed the venue into a hub of scientific exploration. Participants from across Guam—representing elementary, middle, and high schools—presented research and experiments spanning a wide range of disciplines.
Over 314 projects competed in categories including ecology and earth science, physical science and mathematics, biology and medical science, chemistry, energy and sustainability, and computer science, aerospace, robotics, and engineering.
Judges evaluated entries based on scientific rigor, creativity, and real-world application, with many students demonstrating not only technical skill but also a strong understanding of issues impacting island communities.
UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) director, Guam NSF EPSCoR co-principle investigator and event committee member Austin Shelton, Ph.D., noted strong participation this year even with storm preparation at the top of community priorities.
“The fair continues to align with international standards, offering top performers pathways toward higher-level competitions,” said Shelton. “This fair has opened the doors for many students over the years, including myself, to opportunities that can really have a huge impact on their futures.”
The top winner of the science fair would qualify to win a trip to NASA Space Camp and also represent Guam on the international science fair stage.
“Beyond the awards, we really like to emphasize the broader impact of the fair,” said Interim Associate Director of agInnovation Research Center at UOG Land Grant Frank Camacho, Ph.D. “Fostering curiosity, building confidence, and encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is a mission we take very seriously and look forward to continuing here at UOG.”
Overall winners for this year’s competition are:
A. Division I (Primary): Grades K, 1,
Joseph Choi: Tamuning Elementary School
PROJECT TITLE: “Why Did My Soccer Ball Pop?”
B. Division II (Elementary): Grades 3, 4, 5
- Thomas Kurian: Harvest Christian Academy
PROJECT TITLE: “Evaluating Glucose Lowering Effect of Soluble Fibre”
C. Division III (Middle School): Grades 6, 7, 8
- Derrick Yan: St. John’s School
PROJECT TITLE: “Mechanical Properties of Recycled Glass Concrete for Erosion Control Structure”
D. Division IV (High School): Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
- Alexander Cruz: Father Duenas Memorial School
PROJECT TITLE: “A Novel PLLA-PCL Composite with Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles for a Biodegradable Radiopaque Stent Material”
Cruz described his winning project, “Essentially, I investigated a new material that meets the characteristics of being biodegradable, radiopaque, and durable enough to function as a stent in medical applications.” He explained that stents are used in angioplasty to improve blood flow.
On winning the overall award at the science fair, he said, “I feel excited. I’m also relieved that I was able to win again, a second time at the Guam Science Fair. At the same time, I know there’s still more to be done, especially with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) coming up in May. I’m looking forward to it.” Cruz won 4th place at ISEF 2025.
The chief judge for the science fair was Philip A. Dauterman, MD, who has over 30 years of experience in anatomic and clinical pathology. Dauterman has served as a key pathologist for Guam and Saipan, conducting autopsies and assisting with forensic cases. His participation highlights the growing regional partnerships of the fair.
As the 2026 competition concluded, the commitment to continuing the growth of STEM opportunities and building capacity for Guam students remained strong with organizers as they confirmed planning for next year’s competition will begin immediately.