We are proud to celebrate the MCSD 2026 Regional STEM fair that occurred this past Saturday, January 4th, at Stanley Switlick Elementary School. A total of 143 students from across the district presented 101 projects. The students competed across three divisions: the elementary division with 4th and 5th graders, the junior division with 6th., 7th, and 8th grade students, and the senior division with high school students.
Five exceptional projects were selected to advance to compete at the state science and engineering fair in Lakeland at the beginning of April. Pictured from left to right are Superintendent Ed Tierney, Taylor Thomason (KWHS), Lily Soca and Vanessa Gabriel (CSHS), Braelyn Dixon (KLS), Aiden McElheny (OSCS), and Emily Reams (SLS). We are proud of our state candidates and wish them well as they advance to the next level of competition.
A huge thank you to the judges from nine of our community partners: Mosquito Control, Pascal’s Way, NOAA, United Way of Collier and the Keys, Mote Marine Lab, The Dolphin Research Center, Key Deer Wildlife Refuge, Reef Relief, and SeaCamp. Another thank you to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority for providing water and two staff to assist with the event. We would like to thank the continued financial support provided through Charlie Toppino and Sons and the Konrath family of Marathon Garbage Services for our STEM programs and competitions.