Cy-Fair ISD Science Olympiad Teams Earn Top Honors at State Amid Growing Focus on STEM Education
With helicopters spinning, scramblers launching, and towers reaching skyward, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD students showcased their talents at the Texas Science Olympiad, held April 11–12 at Texas A&M University. Across both middle and high school divisions, CFISD teams earned top-tier placements and dozens of medals, reflecting a growing national emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—collectively known as STEM education.
Strong Showings Across the District
Leading the charge in Division B (middle school), Sprague Middle School placed 12th overall, with standout finishes from eighth graders Shreyes Konduru and Akshaj Mishra, who placed third in Air Trajectory, and Amogh Hedge and Mishra, also third in Scrambler.
Anthony Middle School followed in 17th place, with students Olivia Cowen and Sophia Lavender securing third in Mission Possible, and Disha Somasetty and Ricardo Cui finishing fourth in We’ve Got Your Number, a challenging event in mathematics and logic.
In Division C (high school), Bridgeland High School led CFISD with an impressive fifth-place finish. Their team collected medals in multiple events, including:
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First place in Helicopter – Krishiv Ray and Giriish Purushothaman
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Second in Tower – Catherin Lin and Cayla Su
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Second in Picture This – Ria Jha and Jayden Lin
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Second in Wind Power – Aryan Atri and Hemish Duri
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Fourth in Geologic Mapping – Cayla Su and Aarush Bhavanam
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Other top CFISD finishes included:
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Cypress Falls High School – 16th place, with first in Write It, Do It by sisters Sydnie and Witnie Pearson, and third in Optics by Akshdeep Sandu and Elyse DeSilva
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Cypress Creek High School – 18th place, with third in Bungee Drop and fourth in Helicopter from Jacob Hawkins and partners
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Jersey Village High School – 25th place, with podium placements in Write It, Do It, GeoWizard, and Electric Vehicle
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Cypress Ranch High School – 22nd place
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Cypress Woods High School and Smith Middle School – represented CFISD at the state competition
Why STEM Matters: National Trends and Local Impact
The achievements of these CFISD students mirror a broader educational push toward STEM disciplines, which are widely recognized for equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills essential for the modern workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are expected to grow at twice the rate of other occupations, with particularly strong demand in computing, engineering, and healthcare fields.
The National Science Foundation(NSF) emphasizes that early exposure to STEM builds curiosity and innovation, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications. Programs like Science Olympiad—an academic competition with hands-on events ranging from engineering design to earth science—are instrumental in fostering that engagement.
“STEM isn’t just about technical skills,” said a recent report from the Brookings Institution. “It cultivates adaptability, resilience, and creativity—traits that empower students to thrive in dynamic, high-skill careers.”
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Empowering Future Innovators
In CFISD, participation in Science Olympiad and other STEM initiatives provides more than just medals—it sparks a lifelong passion for discovery. From launching bungee drops to mastering geologic mapping, students are doing more than competing—they’re developing into the next generation of scientists, engineers, and thinkers.
As local schools continue to invest in STEM pathways, these results affirm the district’s efforts are paying off.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
