STEAM teacher Mr. Kameron Koeffler transformed the UT Elementary gym into a bustling hub of discovery as fourth and fifth grade Little Longhorns presented their 2026 Science Fair projects after weeks of hands‑on investigation, critical thinking, and creativity.
“The Science Fair is a cornerstone of curiosity and critical thinking. Students learn to refine their natural questions, make predictions, test ideas, collect data, and communicate with authentic audiences. These are skills they can use for the rest of their lives. STEAM education involves building a strong learning foundation rooted in creativity, resilience, and innovation in order to solve problems and build lifelong learners.” – Mr. Koeffler
For many students, the Science Fair isn’t just an assignment; it’s their first experience designing and carrying out a full inquiry project from start to finish. Students selected topics they were genuinely curious about, formed testable questions, gathered data, and drew meaningful conclusions. The range of projects—from environmental investigations to physics experiments to studies of human behavior—showcased the diverse interests and growing scientific confidence of our young scholars.
This year, we piloted a new Science Fair initiative for second and third-grade, group projects in addition to traditional solo projects. The goal was to expose the students to the scientific method while allowing them to foster collaboration and presentation skills. To keep resources and work time equitable, students completed these projects 100% at school during STEAM class. Throughout the process, UTES teachers and students were able to come and watch the students, providing feedback and encouragement. The student-led showcase was met with a warm reception from community members and faculty alike, with several guest judges asking, “Can we do this again?”
One of the most special moments of the day came as students stood proudly beside their displays, ready to explain their methods and findings for our guest judges. Many shared how their initial ideas evolved as they collected data, or how they overcame challenges along the way. Their poise and enthusiasm illustrate what happens when children are given the time, encouragement, and structure to explore their own questions about the world.
A Community Effort
In addition to our valued partners, the Texas Cowboys, we were honored to welcome judges from across our Austin community, including:
- Adrienne Arroyo, STEM Education Specialist at ESC Region 13
- Caroline Jessee and Arielle LaGuette, HEB/Favor representatives
- Vijay Laxmi, Electronics Engineer
- Paulo Mercal, Ph.D. student in STEM Education from the UT College of Education
- Jessica Toste, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Special Education
Their expertise, thoughtful questions, and encouragement helped create a professional and inspiring experience for our young scientists, reinforcing the importance of authentic connections between students and the broader community.
Creating Real Impact
This year’s Science Fair didn’t just showcase curiosity and hard work—it opened real doors for our students. Six student projects qualified for the Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair, with three additional projects named as alternates.
Qualifiers
- “UT Energy” by Kenneth (4th grade)
- “Which LLM is the Best at Writing, Programming, and Images?” by Bennett (4th grade)
- “Rooted in Science” by Luna (4th grade)
- “Plank Distraction” by Saffiayah (5th grade)
- “Water Filtration” by Alfred (5th grade)
- “Keeping it Cool” by Xander (5th grade)
Alternates
- “Penny Cleaning” by Rylie (4th grade)
- “Chicken Dinner Party” by Charlie (5th grade)
- “Leaf to Life” by Zana (3rd grade)
These students will advance to the next level of competition on February 21 at the Palmer Events Center, where they will present their research alongside peers from across Central Texas. We are immensely proud of their accomplishment and excited to cheer them on as they take this next big step in their scientific journeys.
Strengthening the UT Elementary Community
At its core, our Science Fair is more than a showcase of student work—it’s a celebration of the community that sustains UT Elementary. Our volunteers, families, staff, and supporters create an environment where students feel confident taking academic risks and pushing their thinking further. As a research, demonstration and public charter school of the University of Texas at Austin, we believe learning happens best when students connect with a broader community of experts and mentors.
These partnerships are central to the UT Elementary mission. As a research, demonstration, and public charter school of the University of Texas at Austin, we believe that learning happens best when students are connected to a broader community of experts, mentors, and supporters. Events like the Science Fair are one of the many ways we bring that mission to life.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this day such a meaningful success. Your involvement helps our students see themselves as scientists, innovators, and problem‑solvers—and that belief lasts far beyond today.