🏆🔬 FROM LA JOYA TO THE NATIONAL STAGE! 🇺🇸👏🏼

Posted Date: 10/29/26 (01:55 PM)

A smiling young scientist stands proudly in front of a project board at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, holding a PVC and plastic model.

A HUGE congratulations to Lorenzo De Zavala MS seventh grader Nathan Gael Montelongo, who earned SECOND PLACE in the Engineering category at the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge in Washington, D.C.! 🎉🌟

Selected as one of only 30 national finalists from nearly 2,000 applicants, Nathan competed alongside some of the nation's brightest young minds, showcasing his innovative project focused on removing microplastics from contaminated water using a natural material derived from shellfish! 🌎💧

Students in white lab coats and safety goggles conduct science experiments in a bright room.

His creativity, determination and passion for science have earned him national recognition and made our entire La Joya ISD community PROUD! ❤️

WAY TO GO, NATHAN! 🚀👏🏼

📸Photo Credit: Society for Science

Three students collaborate on a science project, measuring a black mesh cylinder with white pipes and a ruler.

#LaJoyaISD #STEMExcellence #StudentSuccess #NationalRecognition #AchievingExcellenceTogether