VERO BEACH — “STEM” is being talked about by educators everywhere and nothing demonstrates Saint Edward’s students’ superior mastery of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) than the recent results at the Indian River Science and Engineering Fair. From Zoology to Math and everything that can be quantified and tested in between, Saint Edward’s students proved that their science skills are top-notch.
Headlining the list of STEM achievers is Sophomore Michael Kaiser of Stuart who placed first in his category of Zoology, was awarded Best-in-Show out of all of the Secondary School submissions, earned a state bid and an international bid to compete at the 2012 INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburg in May, and was awarded a $40,000 scholarship to Florida Institute of Technology.
Senior Emily Salvador of Vero Beach will also be competing at the State level after she placed first in her category of Mathematics. Emily garnered several special awards including the Mu Alpha Theta award, Syngenta Research and Development Award and the US Army Special Award. Michael and Emily took two of the seven state bids awarded from the regional fair.
Rising to the top in the Junior Division were Saint Edward’s 6th grader Sana Shareef of Vero Beach and 7th grader Gabby Allen of Vero Beach. Sana placed first in her category of Earth and Space Science, was awarded the Association of Women Geoscientists Award, and was selected to compete at the state level. Gabby placed third in the Botany category and received the Indian River Alumni Recognition of Scientific Achievement Award as well.
Nowhere was Saint Edward’s superior preparation in STEM more apparent than in the elementary division (grades 4 and 5) where Lower School students garnered more than a lion’s share of the ribbons and awards.
Fourth grader Tyler Newbrough of Vero Beach took Best in Show as well as first place in his category, and was awarded a Sage $500 College Scholarship. Other first place winners who also were awarded Sage $500 college scholarships were fifth graders Sophia Oriaku and David Gambee, both of Vero Beach, and 4th graders Olivia Lazorik of Fort Pierce, Whitney Foote, and Elise Mallon, both of Vero Beach.
David Gambee also earned the O’Toole Evans $100 Family Research Award. Fifth grader Lauren Savage of Vero Beach was awarded 2nd place and fourth grader Bridget Nelson of Vero Beach was awarded 3rd place in their categories.
