Niceville High junior Emma Michel named Sunshine State Scholar, earns statewide STEM scholarship
Niceville High School junior Emma Michel has been recognized as one of Florida’s top STEM students, earning selection as a 2026 Sunshine State Scholar and one of just 10 students statewide to receive a prestigious STEM scholarship.
Emma represented Okaloosa County at the Sunshine State Scholars Conference in Orlando, hosted by the Florida Department of Education, where top 11th-grade students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are honored for academic excellence and leadership. Earlier this year, she was named a district representative for the Okaloosa County School District alongside Fort Walton Beach High School student Penelope Gordon.
Each Florida school district nominates outstanding STEM students for the program, which also introduces participants to higher education and career opportunities. Following the conference, Emma advanced through a competitive statewide process — including six additional essays — to earn a one-year scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Education Foundation. “Emma represents the very best of Okaloosa County students,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Her academic dedication, passion for STEM and commitment to excellence truly set her apart.”
Niceville High School Principal Charlie Marello said Emma exemplifies the strength of the Eagle community. “We are so proud of Emma for receiving this state-level recognition,” Marello said. “She is enrolled in five Advanced Placement courses, carries a 4.57 GPA and is a standout member of the NHS swim team. She is one exceptional Eagle.”
Through the program, Emma engaged with university representatives, colleges and industry leaders while exploring future STEM pathways — an achievement that reflects both her determination and the district’s commitment to academic excellence.
UWF receives $555K NIH grant to launch NeuroNauts Scholars Program
The University of West Florida has been awarded a five-year, $555,000 National Institutes of Health R25 Research Education Grant to launch the NeuroNauts Scholars Program, an intensive summer research experience for local high school students.
Funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the program will select cohorts of eight juniors and seniors from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for an eight-week immersive experience in neuroscience research. Areas of study include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, cognitive psychology, computational neuroscience, stroke health disparities and neurodevelopmental disorders. “Programs like NeuroNauts represent exactly the kind of innovative initiative that advances both our research mission and our commitment to the people of Northwest Florida,” said UWF Provost Dr. Jaromy Kuhl. “Introducing high school students to real scientific research … is how we build the next generation of scientists and strengthen the pipeline into STEM careers for our region.”
Led by Dr. Rodney Guttmann, professor and interim chair of the Department of Biology, and Dr. Allison Schwartz, director of UWF’s Office of Undergraduate Research, the program pairs each student with a faculty mentor and embeds them in active research labs across multiple disciplines. “These students are not watching demonstrations,” Guttmann said. “They are working side by side with faculty on real research questions … gaining exposure many don’t encounter until graduate school.”
Faculty mentors bring expertise ranging from Alzheimer’s biomarkers and Parkinson’s neuroprotection to EEG studies, computational brain modeling and stroke risk disparities. The program also includes a clinical perspective from a physician and guidance from a nationally recognized undergraduate research leader. “This award reflects the depth of research talent we have at UWF,” said Dr. Mohamed Khabou, dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.
Students will be paid, helping remove financial barriers to participation. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars on research ethics, scientific communication and career development, culminating in a research symposium.
The inaugural session runs June 1 through July 24, 2026. The application deadline is April 1.
For more information, visit bit.ly/NeuroNautsProgram or contact Emily Harris at eharris@uwf.edu or 850-474-2751.
Okaloosa Students Excel at 2026 East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Students from Okaloosa and Walton counties showcased their creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking at the 2026 East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The projects were presented on February 11 at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, with the Awards Ceremony held February 17 at Beachside Community Church.
Professional scientists and engineers served as judges, conducting personal interviews with each student. These discussions provided feedback, guidance, and exposure to role models in science and engineering, helping students communicate their work using real-world scientific language and methodology. “The quality and innovation of these projects highlight the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers.
Awards recognized outstanding projects across multiple categories, with first-place winners required to meet specific point thresholds. State Finalists were selected based on overall scores, ensuring top performers had the opportunity to advance. We sincerely thank our sponsors, Air Force Research Lab, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc., Mr. Terry Wade, and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) for their generous support.
Congratulations to all award winners for their creativity, dedication, and outstanding achievements! For a full list of winners, special awards, and photos from the event, visit https://www.okaloosaschools.com/o/ocsd/page/2026-science-fair-awards.
