Please pause for a moment of science
Who says science is boring? Last Saturday the UHS Science Olympiad teams placed 5th and 11th overall in the Arizona Science Olympiad tournament. There, they competed in events ranging from building pendulums (It’s About Time) to engineering bridges (Elevated Bridge) to identifying fossils (Fossils). They received an impressive 17 medals. “It was like Christmas came early,” senior James Steinke said of the ceremony.
UHS’s medal count, up from 13 medals last year can be explained in many ways. Club president Leah Edwards says it was due to “the broad variety of areas” in which medals were won – medals were distributed more evenly among the team members. UHS Biology teacher Dr. Yell notes “great individual performances” in events such as Chemistry Lab and Ecology. Additionally, club sponsor Dr. Tobin credits students that won medals in traditionally less successful events such as Picture This and Write It/Do It.
Such a diverse range of Science Olympiad events is part of its wide appeal—inquisitive students can choose events normally categorized as “study”, “experimenting” or “building.” Pretty self explanatory, some events like Microbiology and Anatomy test knowledge of concepts, some like Experimental Design and Write It/Do It test ability to experiment quickly, and some like WindWatts and Mouse Trap Vehicle test capability to efficiently design devices. Basically, there’s something for everyone!
However, cool events and numerous medals are not the only “elements” of the Science Olympiad experience –for most students the anecdote-filled trip itself is typically the best part. This year was no exception. Students rode carousels in the Metro mall, watched movies late into the night, explored the Glendale Community College campus, and played Capture the Flag with the Catalina Foothills team.
As usual, the night before the competition was the most memorable. Students studied in their hotel rooms. Some students added last minute touches to their designs. Some students hypothesized their experiments. And as it got really late, some students even watched movies. As Steinke explains his few hours of sleep, “We were watching Python vs. Anaconda and it was way too exciting [to sleep].”
For those feeling like senior Ernesto Barraza who says “Hearing about Science Olympiad makes me realize what I missed in high school”, don’t fear! According to Biology teacher Dr. Yell, “Science Olympiad next year needs new members” citing the “great roadtrip” involved and his hope for the team to go to Nationals. More information about the individual events can be found on the Science Olympiad website: soinc.org.
Short URL: http://www.uhsperspective.org/?p=253
Yay, go UHS! The carousel ride and the late-night studying definitely added to the excitement of the trip. Several activities during the trip helped to bring the team together, such as helping each other on building mishaps or with studying. The vast number of medals we received overall was great and bodes well for next year. I wish I could return next year and participate again!
“It was like Christmas came early,”
BEST QUOTE EVER!
I can’t wait for next year! Go Science Olympians! We need more people to join for next year too, though. Please come, anybody! Science is awesomeee. Goodbye, our lovely senior science olympians!