For the second consecutive year, J.W. Nixon High School senior Austlynn Quiroz, won first place in the Bio-Chemistry Division with her project entitled “Invader to Innovator: Bioplastic Synthesis to Keep Laredo Beautiful” and was declared the Grand Champion of the Laredo ISD 2025 Secondary Science Fair Competition.
Austlynn, who has participated in Science Fair since the sixth grade, used her past experience from those competitions to conduct her experiment.
Since this is her last year competing in the fair, Quiroz decided to focus on both areas of STEM. “So, for my final year I wanted to do the science part of STEM and get the best of both worlds,” she said. “My major for college is biomedical engineering and this project is basically biochemistry, but the applications it has is biomedical. So, I really wanted to test out the field. I really want to see what I will be learning and researching about in college and in the future.”
“I was ecstatic when I heard my name called out. I had never done a project in the biochemistry area. But this year I was a little uncomfortable testing out new variables that I had never done before,” said Quiroz. “So, when they called my name out, I was like I can be strong in Math and Science.”
Quiroz will represent Nixon High School, the Business Industry Public Service Early College Academy, and Laredo ISD at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus Ohio. She will join other high school students from around the world who will display their independent research.
Austlynn plans on using the experience and knowledge she gained at last year’s National Science Fair to prepare herself for this year’s International Fair.
Last year was a whole different playing field, according to Quiroz. What she learned last year is that the judges really want to see real world applications and they want to see more of the scientific side of it. “If you’re going to pick a category, make sure your whole project is based on that category and that the applications are beneficial to the whole community,” she recalls
“I think that my project has a really good stance now that I went to Nationals and I saw what I will be competing against,” said Quiroz. “My project this year is based off of what I saw there, what won, and what the judges grasped. They really like students to take things from their community and make a project out of it and that its applicable to everyone. I’m feeling very confident that I have a chance to place in the top three.”
The purpose behind Quiroz project was to identify three different hypotheses. First, she wanted to see if she could synthesize a bioplastic out of a raw material (Carrizo Cane). Secondly, to make it an adjustable product that can be used every day like adhesive bandage and last to see if it’s biodegradable in a healthy way to replace petroleum-based plastics.
Based off Austlynn’s conclusion, she was able solve all three of her hypotheses. She was able to make PLA plastic out of Carrizo Cane, an adjustable product into an adhesive bandage, it was able to biodegrade in a healthy way in two to three weeks.
“I would really like to thank my mom, dad, and my grandmother. They are my support system,” said Quiroz. “I also want to acknowledge my teachers, Mr. Kramer from United Middle School, who ignited my flame for Science Fair, and Ms. Allred, and Mr. Gabrillo from Nixon High School have helped me tremendously.”
Austlynn is a member of the Nixon High School Cheerleaders, girls Cross Country team where she is a two-time state qualifier, UIL Debate, Chess Club President, and National Honor Society President. Her hobbies cooking with her father, painting and spending time with her grandparents.
Her future plans include attending one of her dream schools to purse a degree in Bio-Medical or Chemical Engineering.