Middle school is typically the time when girls fall behind their male peers in math and science class. At Our Lady of Refuge School in East Long Beach, however, two middle school girls have consistently excelled at the Los Angeles County Science Fair.

Eighth-graders Caroline Chihak and Anna de la Rosa have been recognized at the county science fair each year since they were sixth-graders at the Catholic K-8 school, with Anna going on to win honors at the California State Science Fair.