Sacramento, Calif. – Hartnell College Foundation (HCF) K-12 STEAM Programs is proud to announce that Salinas City Elementary School District (SCESD) Expanded Learning students demonstrated exceptional creativity and teamwork at the 2025 California Invention Convention State Competition held at the California State Railroad Museum on April 12, 2025. Five of 15 students who competed at the state level were awarded and recognized. A first for the district and for K-12 STEAM at HCF.

“I am incredibly amazed and truly inspired by our students’ creativity and determination at this year’s Invention Convention. Their hard work and innovative spirit showcase the extraordinary talent thriving right here in the Salinas Valley, and I’m deeply proud to support their journey as our future STEM leaders,” said Director of K‑12 STEAM Programs, Hartnell College Foundation Ana Ibarra‑Castro. “We’re proud to support SCESD’s talented inventors as they lead the way in technology and entrepreneurship.”

There were 47 counties represented in this state competition. At the local level, more than 2,000 TK – 6th grade students across 15 SCESD after‑school sites engaged in invention education, applying the engineering design process to prototype solutions for real-world challenges.

From this group, 30 advanced to the regional competition at Hartnell College on March 15, and 15 finalists were selected to compete at the state level in Sacramento.

“This year, students in TK through 6th grade across Salinas City Elementary School District were given the opportunity to become young inventors—opening their hearts and minds to the idea that they can solve problems, engineer solutions, and even become entrepreneurs,” said Director of Expanded Learning, SCESDChloe Johnson. “Experiences like the California Invention Convention help shift their outlook on the future from limited options to infinite possibilities.” 

HCF K-12 STEAM Programs offers a variety of academic support to SCESD in a collaboration that serves as a pathway into early STEM learning. In this challenge, the students were asked to integrate engineering design, technology innovation, and entrepreneurship frameworks.

“We are so proud of the 15 that participated in the competition and so happy that five of them received awards,” said Johnson. “Their success reflects the power of equitable access to STEAM education.” 

These are the five SCESD students who earned state‑level honors:

-Bill Marlin & Robert Gessler Award for Teamwork

JESUS LUSTRE AND OLIVER VASQUEZ, 6th grade, Sherwood Elementary – Bird Catcher 3000harnesses gravity and a sound sensor to humanely capture and release birds.

-Girls Inventing the Future Award

LUNA RAMIREZ, 4th grade, Natividad Elementary – Lun.nax features adjustable hot/cold temperature controls in footwear to meet diverse health needs.

-Industry Forward: Manufacturing & Tools Award

ALEEN GARCIA, 5th grade, Lincoln Elementary – Flying Taxi, a concept for autonomous air transit, judged by industry experts.

-Merritt Award

AURORA RUIZ, 2nd grade, Lincoln Elementary – Magic Claw, a promising prototype demonstrating ingenuity for young inventors.

“A special thank you to Salinas City Elementary School District Expanded Learning, Director Chloe Johnson, and all our instructors and partners for their visionary collaboration in making this event possible,” said Ibarra-Castro.

For a recap of the Invention Convention Northern California, click HERE.

Program Impact
This statewide achievement underscores SCESD’s commitment to expanding equitable STEAM opportunities. Under the vision of Chloe Johnson and in partnership with Hartnell College K‑12 STEAM Programs, EDMO, and Elevo, the after‑school initiative has fostered hands‑on invention learning at all 15 SCESD sites. By immersing young learners in real‑world problem‑solving, the program not only cultivates innovation but also prepares the next generation of California’s STEM workforce.

About Hartnell College K‑12 STEAM Programs
Hartnell College Foundation’s K‑12 STEAM Programs cultivate regional STEM capacity through curriculum development, educator training, and student engagement—from robotics and aerospace to biotechnology and invention education.

About Salinas City Elementary School District Expanded Learning
SCESD’s Expanded Learning program provides high‑quality, after‑school STEAM education to TK–6th graders across 15 campuses. By partnering with local colleges and industry, the program equips students with hands-on experience in invention, coding, and engineering design.

###