Soybean Science Challenge
See the Soy Scholars: 2022 Research Winners
What is the Soybean Science Challenge?
The Soybean Science Challenge is a farmer-funded, statewide, high school education program that seeks to increase student knowledge about the value of Arkansas soybeans to the Arkansas economy, to the labor force, and ultimately to feed and fuel the world.
The Challenge is co-sponsored by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service.
In eight years the Challenge has reached thousands of students and teachers across the nation through real-time and on-line education, in-service training, Virtual Field Trips, classroom lab instruction, Arkansas-based educational publications, mentoring, and awards for independent student research.
Who is eligible?
Students in grades 6-12 who successfully complete the Soybean Science Challenge online course and enter a science project in one of the ISEF affiliated fairs are eligible for consideration of cash awards. Applied science projects will be considered from all categories as long as they are soybean or agriculturally related.
Recent Winners
Congratulations to Abby Berger, 18, a senior at Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts in Hot Springs, for winning the 2022 First Place State Soybean Science Challenge $1,000 cash Award and the West-central Arkansas Regional Science Fair $300 cash Award.
Abby B., a senior at ASMSA in Hot Springs, won the 2022 Soybean Science Challenge First Place Award at the Southwestern Energy State Science and Engineering Fair March 31 and the regional award at the West-Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair Feb 25. Butler received $1,300 in cash awards provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Her Teacher-Mentor, Dr. Brian Monson, is also pictured.
Project Title: The potential of forage soybeans as a grazing source for cattle.
Congratulations to Sydney W, age 15, a sophomore at The Academies at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro for winning the 2022 Second Place State Soybean Science Challenge $500 Award and the Northeast Arkansas Regional Science Fair $300 Award.
Sydney W., 15, a sophomore at The Academies at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, was the second place state winner of the Soybean Science Challenge at the 2022 Southwestern Energy State Science Fair March 31, and SSC Senior Level regional winner at the Northeast Arkansas Regional Science Fair at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, March 11. Sydney received a $500 cash award for her second place state award and a $300 cash award for her regional award. Cash awards were provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. her Teacher-Mentor, Allyson Goodin, is also pictured.
Project Title: Does overcrowding affect the growth of soybeans?
Congratulations to Cameryn Berryhill, age 17, a senior at Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts in Hot Springs, for winning the 2022 Honorable Mention State Soybean Science Challenge $250 Award.
Cameron Berryhill, age 17, a senior at Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts was the Honorable Mention state winner of the Soybean Science Challenge at the 2022 Southwestern Energy State Science Fair March 31. Cameryn received a $250 state cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Her Teacher-Mentor, Dr. Lindsey Waddell, is also pictured.
Project Title: Using Stream bacteria to promote soybean growth.
Congratulations to Rebekah Caffey, age 17, a junior at Central High School in Little Rock
Rebekah Caffey, a junior at Central High School in Little Rock, won the 2022 Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair Senior Level Soybean Science Challenge Award March 4. Rebekah received the $300 cash award provided by the Soybean Promotion Board. Teacher Mary Maris is also pictured.
Project Title: The Effects of defoliation and fungicide treatment.
Congratulations to Aakash B., an eighth grader at Lisa Academy West Middle School in Little Rock.
Aakash B., an eighth grader at Lisa Academy West Middle School in Little Rock won the 2022 Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair Junior Level Soybean Science Challenge Award March 4. Aakash received the $200 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Teacher Erin Votaw is also pictured.
Project title: Electronic soil moisture sensor; save water, save fuel. Learn more about Aakash
Congratulations to Emily H., age 18, a senior at Mountain Pine High School, Mountain Pine .
Emily H., age 18, a senior at Mountain Pine High School in Mountain Pine, won the Soybean Science Challenge Senior Level Award at the 2022 Ouachita Mountains Regional Science and Engineering Fair March 4. Emily received a $300 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Teacher bobby Young is also pictured.
Project title: Can plants stop soil erosion? Learn more about Emily
Congratulations to McKenzie B., age 17, a senior at Alma High School, Alma.
McKenzie B., age 17, a senior at Alma High School in Alma, won the Soybean Science Challenge Senior Level award at the 2022 Virtual Northwest Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 11. McKenzie received a $300 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Teacher Tiffany Schrivner is also pictured.
Project title: Drought Resistant Soybeans.
Congratulations to Alex P., age 13, an eighth grader at Fayetteville Christian School in Fayetteville.
Alex P., age 13, an eighth grader at Fayetteville Christian School in Fayetteville won the Junior Level Soybean Science Challenge at the 2022 Virtual Northwest Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair held on April 11. Alex received a $200 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. He is pictured with his Teacher-Mentor Pat Briney.
Project Title: Soybean pollen viability under low temperature stress. Learn more about Alex
Congratulations to Jailyn S., age 13, a seventh grader at Salem High School in Salem.
Jailyn S., age 13, a seventh grader at Salem High School in Salem , won the 2022 Junior Division Northeast Regional Arkansas Soybean Science Challenge March 11. Jailyn received a $200 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Josh's Teacher-Mentor, Amanda Smith is also pictured.
Project title: Save the Soybeans.
Congratulations to Ayla B., age 14, a freshman at Taylor High School in Taylor.
Ayla B., a freshman at Taylor High School in Taylor, won the Senior Level Soybean Science Challenge at the 2022 Southwest Arkansas Regional Science Fair at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia April 1. Ayla received a $300 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Ayla is pictured with her Teacher-Mentor Christy Hoyle.
Project Title: How drinks affect plant growth. Learn more about Ayla
Congratulations to Noah B., age 13, a seventh grader at Bearden High School in Bearden.
Noah B., age 13, a seventh grader at Bearden High School in Bearden, won the Junior Level Soybean Science Challenge at the 2022 Southwest Arkansas Regional Science Fair at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia April 1. Noah received a $200 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Jack is pictured with his Teacher-Mentor, Jackie Raney.
Project Title: Poop for plants. Learn more about Noah
Congratulations to Hannah and Hadleigh Baker, freshmen from Mountain Home Junior High School, in Mountain Home.
Hannah and Hadleigh Baker., age 15, freshmen from Mountain Home Junior High School in Mountain Home, won the Senior Level Soybean Science Challenge at the 2022 FFA Agriscience Fair at the Hot Springs Convention Center on April 25. Hannah and Hadleigh received a $300 total cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Hannah and Hadleigh are pictured with their FFA Advisors, Carson White and Josh Baker.
Project title: Measuring early soybean growth response to commercial fertilizer and turkey litter.
Learn more about Hannah and Hadleigh
Congratulations to Jenny Garcia-Torres, age 14, a ninth grader at Southwest Junior High School in Springdale.
Congratulations to Jenny G., age 14, a ninth grader at Southwest Junior High School in Springdale. Jenny won the Soybean Science Challenge Junior Level award at the 2022 Agriscience Fair held at the FFA State Convention April 25. Jenny received a $200 cash award provided by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board at the Awards Ceremony. Jenny is pictured with her FFA Advisor, Jonathan Roberts.
Project Title:Does temperature matter for soybean germination.
For more information on the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, visit their website themiraclebean.com
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