Martins Bergšteins is a 12th-grade student at Jelgava State Gymnasium who has been passionately interested in weather and meteorology since the first grade. This year, he became one of only two Latvian students selected to represent Latvia at the world’s largest high school science and engineering competition, Regeneron ISEF 2026. Alongside his studies, Martins has spent years sharing weather forecasts on social media. A few years ago, his online content caught the attention of a television producer, and today he appears on national television once a week, informing viewers about upcoming weather conditions.
A Passion Born in Childhood
Martins’ fascination with meteorology began at an early age.
“It all started around first grade when I got my first phone and used it to film a thunderstorm. I was fascinated by how unpredictable storms were—the lightning, the thunder, the sheer power of nature. Watching the footage afterwards made me wonder how these phenomena form and how meteorologists are able to predict them,” he recalls.
At first, he regularly watched weather forecasts on television and found inspiration in well-known Latvian meteorologist Toms Bricis. Soon, however, he began studying cloud types, atmospheric processes, and weather maps on his own.
Over time, meteorology evolved from a simple interest into an important part of his daily life.
Building an Audience One Forecast at a Time
Since 2019, Martins has consistently published his own weather forecasts on social media. In the beginning, almost nobody was watching.
For years, he created forecasts, analysed weather maps, and explained atmospheric phenomena despite receiving only a handful of likes and having a very small audience.
“There were times when a post would get just one or two likes, even though I had invested a lot of work into it. But I never gave up because my interest in meteorology was stronger than my desire for quick popularity. I simply continued doing what I loved as a hobby,” he says.
Gradually, more people discovered his content. Audiences appreciated both the accuracy of his forecasts and his ability to explain complex weather phenomena in clear and accessible language. His following grew into the thousands, eventually attracting the attention of a TV3 news producer who invited him for an interview.
That unexpected opportunity became the starting point of his television career.
From Social Media to National Television
Following his first television interview, Martins received an offer to present weather forecasts once a week on the TV3 morning news programme 900 Seconds.
Today, he regularly explains upcoming weather developments, discusses weather warnings, and helps viewers understand more complex atmospheric processes.
“People have weather apps on their phones, but they do not always understand what the information means. My task is to explain it in a simple and understandable way,” says Martins.
The ability to make complicated topics accessible later became one of his greatest strengths as a young researcher.
Researching Extreme Weather
At the international competition in the United States, Martins presented a research project focused on Cyclone Kirstija, which caused severe flooding and widespread damage across central Latvia during the summer of 2024.
In some locations, nearly three months’ worth of rainfall fell within a single night. In Jelgava alone, the damage exceeded €13 million.
For his research, Martins analysed satellite data, radar information, and atmospheric processes to understand why the cyclone became so intense and what role climate change may have played in its development.
His project successfully advanced through multiple selection stages—from school-level competitions to the Zemgale regional contest, then the national competition, and finally the international selection process that earned him a place at Regeneron ISEF 2026.
Representing Latvia on the World Stage
Martins describes participating in Regeneron ISEF 2026 as one of the most inspiring experiences of his life.
Held in Phoenix, Arizona, in May 2026, the competition brought together 1,727 young researchers from 67 countries, regions, and territories, presenting a total of 1,383 scientific projects. Participants qualified through 365 affiliated science fairs worldwide.
Beyond presenting his work to an international panel of judges, Martins gained valuable professional contacts, international experience, and an even stronger belief in the abilities of Latvian youth.
“When you stand next to your project and see countries like Brazil, Japan, Argentina, and dozens of others around you, while the word ‘Latvia’ is written behind your back, it is an incredible feeling of pride. You realise that you have reached the global stage through your own work and effort, and that you are representing not only yourself but also your school and your country. This experience gave me tremendous confidence that Latvian students are talented and capable of competing internationally. It was also incredibly inspiring to meet young researchers from around the world, see what they are working on, and learn how they think. Those ten days gave me enormous motivation to continue developing further,” he says.
New Opportunities Ahead
The competition also opened several unique opportunities for Martins’ future.
During the event, he received an invitation to participate in an exchange programme with the United States National Weather Service, scheduled for next year. Martins notes that the United States offers one of the world’s most advanced environments for meteorological research because nearly every type of extreme weather can be observed there—from hurricanes and tornadoes to blizzards and major flooding events.
He also received a personal invitation from the president of Arizona State University to enrol in its Earth Sciences and Geography programme with full tuition support.
Although Martins plans to continue his primary studies at the University of Latvia after graduating from high school, he hopes to take advantage of the American opportunity as well. Since the programme can be completed either on campus or remotely, discussions are underway about combining studies in Arizona with university studies in Latvia.
The Importance of Teachers and School
Martins emphasises that teachers and the overall school environment have played a crucial role in his development.
He particularly appreciates that his school focuses not only on academic knowledge but also on communication skills, public speaking, and the ability to present and defend ideas. These skills have proven invaluable in scientific competitions, television appearances, and social media communication.
“I could not be more grateful to my teachers. They gave me knowledge, but they also helped me understand how to use it in real life. You can really feel that our school encourages students to pursue their interests and go beyond the standard curriculum. Mathematics, for example, has never been my strongest subject, but my teachers always tried to help, adapt their approach, and support me. That gives you confidence that you can improve even in areas where you do not initially feel strong,” he says.
Advice for Future Researchers
Martins believes it is important for young people to be given opportunities to experiment, investigate, and see how knowledge works in practice from an early age.
For students interested in research or pursuing a personal passion, his advice is simple:
“Behind every success people see, there are often ten projects that did not work out. So my advice is simple: if something genuinely interests you, do not stop. Success does not come immediately, but if you truly care about what you are doing, results will come sooner or later.”
This story was created with the support of the European Union Funds.
