STEM Rising Star

Each year, Snohomish STEM honors an outstanding high school student as our STEM Rising Star, part of the statewide Washington STEM Rising Star Awards program.

The Rising Star award celebrates young women and gender-expansive students excelling in sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Awardees received a stipend, recognition at the annual Washington STEM Summit, and opportunities to share their stories to inspire peers across the state. Locally, the Snohomish STEM Rising Star awardee is recognized at the annual Economic Alliance Snohomish County Annual Meeting & Snohomish County Awards event.

Snohomish STEM proudly recognizes one local student each year who demonstrates leadership, curiosity, and potential to make a lasting impact in STEM fields, alongside our other career-connected learning programs.

2026-27 Nominations Open Now

Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 2026-27 Snohomish STEM Rising Star Award!

Do you know a high school freshman, sophomore, or junior in Snohomish County who’s using STEM to make a difference—in the classroom, in their community, or beyond? Nominate them for the 2026 STEM Rising Star Award for Snohomish County!

This statewide program honors young women and gender-expansive students who are passionate about STEM and driven to create positive change. Awardees receive professional development opportunities and are celebrated at an in-person event at the Microsoft Campus in Bellevue.

This is a powerful opportunity to elevate the voices and potential of students traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Let’s champion the next generation of STEM leaders!

📅 Nomination due by May 7

Nominate a STEM Rising Star

2025-26 Snohomish STEM Rising Star: Harshita

We are proud to celebrate Harshita Sinha as the 2025-26 Snohomish STEM Rising Star!

Harshita, a student at Lake Stevens High School, is recognized for her energy and enthusiasm to her school’s HOSA chapter and robotics team, as well as her ambition and strong leadership skills.

👉Read Harshita’s full story on the Washington STEM Rising Stars page 🔗

Past Snohomish STEM Rising Star Awardees

2024-25 – Laasya Chintamani, Henry M. Jackson High School
Recognized for her perseverance and heart to everything she does, whether she’s competing at an international Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) event, supporting pediatric cancer patients, or dancing. 🔗

Featured in the Everett Herald: Laasya Chintamani: ‘I always loved science and wanted to help people’ 🔗

2023-24 – Katie Larios, Mountlake Terrace High School
Recognized for her spirit and perseverance in her computer science courses as well as her school’s Feminism Club and Latino Student Union; she is a champion for other young women of color in STEM. 🔗

Featured in the Everett Herald: Mountlake Terrace High School senior wins state STEM award 🔗

2022-23 – Lizbeth Medina, Stanwood High School
Recognized for her achievements in CAD modeling and her commitment to her peers. 🔗

2021-22 – Meg Isohata, Edmonds Heights
Recognized for her strong and determined leadership of the award winning “Atomic Robots” FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team. 🔗

Nominate a Snohomish STEM Rising Star

Do you know an outstanding student in Snohomish County who deserves to be recognized? Nominations open each spring in April.

Each year, Snohomish STEM recognizes one local STEM Rising Star. Rising Stars are high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who identify as young women or gender-expansive, and who explore STEM in ways that support their education, career, personal development, and the development and needs of others.

Who can nominate?
Teachers, counselors, mentors, and community leaders are encouraged to submit nominations.

Student nomination criteria:
Nominees may be considered based on the following:

  • Eligibility: Student is a freshman, sophomore, or junior in high school, who identifies as a young woman or gender-expansive, and who may be underrepresented in STEM fields, such as students of color, those from rural communities, or those from low-income backgrounds.
  • Recognition may be based on any of the following:
    • Participated in STEM activities in or outside of the classroom (robotics, 4-H/ag science club, computer science group, etc.)
    • Develops or creates STEM projects in or outside of the classroom (website development, business ventures, STEM-related art, etc.)
    • Uses STEM as a means of service to their community and/or family (tutoring, volunteering with a STEM-based community program, etc.)
    • Has a general passion for learning and exploring topics in STEM (exhibits infectious enthusiasm for STEM activities and/or topics)
  • Note: Successful candidates for this award do not need to excel academically in STEM. We are looking for students who embrace STEM regardless of academic performance.

How to nominate:
Nominations open each spring in April. When open:

  • Complete the nomination form at the bottom of the page.
  • Share examples of how the student meets one or more of the criteria above.
Nominate a STEM Rising Star

Learn More

The Rising Star program is part of a statewide initiative coordinated by Washington STEM, with participation from STEM Networks across Washington.

Nomination Form

This form will open April 6, 2026 with nominations accepted through May 7, 2026.

STEM Rising Star Nomination Form

Snohomish STEM Rising Star Nomination Form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Nominator Name(Required)
Student Nominee Name(Required)
Note: When emailing a student, we will always make sure to copy the nominator on the email.
Student's grade level(Required)
Student's school district(Required)
Please give about 1-2 paragraphs (around 150 – 300 words). Consider the list of criteria mentioned above as you tell us why this student is a STEM Rising Star. Reminder: this is the primary question the review committee uses to determine who will become the awardee.
Please give about 1-2 paragraphs (around 150 – 300 words).