Gresham-Barlow students’ research projects put to the test at STEM Expo

Local science experts review proposed solutions to problems facing our world. 

The Gresham-Barlow School District held a regional STEM Expo (GBSE)  on March 13 at Gresham High School (GHS). The event featured 80 projects from over 130 students in 12 different schools from throughout the Portland Metro and East Multnomah County area. 

The GBSE is the Northwest Science Expo System’s at-large regional Fair. GHS has hosted the event since 2010.  The event is possible thanks to GHS high school teachers, support staff, and administrators. The Gresham-Barlow Education Foundation provides financial support, and this year the Portland Metro STEAM Partnership also provided support.  

Twenty-nine projects, including two from GBSD, advanced to the Northwest Science Expo, the state-level competition, held on April 5.

GHS students Ben Graham, Jack Dillon, and Luong Nguyen who are advised by teacher Cyrus Harshfield, did a project investigating the effects of acids on steel wool. 

Sam Barlow High School (SBHS) students Bryson Lindley, North Nadeau, and Keely Rezvani, who are advised by teacher Neal Bridgnell, investigated the effects of temperature on oil spill bioremediation. 

As a bonus, this year the NWSE also featured projects from state middle schools. Clear Creek Middle School students Duke Vazquez, Sky Sanchez, and Charles Martin who are advised by teacher Bill Dudeiros, each completed and presented a project at the fair. 

The team from Sam Barlow HS will also represent GBSD at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), May 11-17 in Los Angeles, along with students Liam Aranda-Michel from Lake Oswego High School and Shriya Pai from Jesuit High School.