Join us for another year of science Olympiad. The first meeting of the year was Thursday September 14th, but don’t worry, it’s not too late to join! Meetings are every week on Thursdays in Mr. Nowak’s room, 201; run by Mrs. Belanger and Mr. Nowak.
The 2022/23 group was small. Even so, everyone gave it their all at competitions. Last year we competed at the University of Michigan, Macomb Community College, and Michigan State University.
Particularly memorable was Dakota’s team placed third in the Regional Competition last year. Battling against local schools, and Dakota’s team did exceptionally well. Medals were given 1st through 4th place. First place was achieved in Disease Detectives and Chem lab. Events in second place were anatomy and physiology, Dynamic Planet, Detector Building, and Forestry. Forensics earned 3rd place. And in 4th place were Flight, Bridge, Experimental Design, Green Generation, Wi-Fi Lab, and Cell Biology. Thanks to these high scores our team placed third overall, and thus was granted a spot in the States Competition.
Each event is one of three types: study, build, lab, or hybrid. Build and lab events are hands-on. Whether it’s on site or at home, you and you partner make your own experiment. Study events are as the name suggests; you prepare beforehand, and in a certain time frame must take a test about the subject you have chosen. Hybrid means you conduct an experiment on site then answer questions based on it. Two or three people are assigned to each event to complete each challenge.
As the year ended, however, our numbers dwindled. Seven seniors – close to half the group – left. Which is where the new 2023/24 team comes in, and so do you. Why should you join Science Olympiad?
First of all, it’s fun! Come compete in science-based challenges that test your science knowledge and allow you to face off against local, state, and even national schools. Plus you get to see various college campuses where the competitions are held.
What better way to meet new people than through clubs? There you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who enjoy the same things you do. And who knows? Perhaps your similar interests go deeper than just the sciences, and deeper friendships will blossom. Most events are partner activities, so if you sign up with a friend the experience will be twice as enjoyable.
Studying is hard, but in Science Olympiad you get to study something you enjoy. Members choose what their events are in. Though most events stay the same each year, there are always new additions being made. (This year’s event list is posted at the end of the article.)
Plus, you can gain experience for college. Are you looking for a science-based career one day? Through Science Olympiad you can find what you like and what you don’t, and learn about various areas you can study.
The first meeting this past Thursday had a turnout that was better than expected. Over twenty people showed up, all eager for this year’s challenges.
Some people join as far back as in elementary school, others only do it for a year or two. It doesn’t matter for how long you’re a part of it; Science Olympiad is for everyone.
The events:
- Aerial scramble
- Agricultural science
- air trajectory
- anatomy and physiology
- astronomy
- Botany
- Chem lab
- Codebusters
- Cybersecurity
- detector building
- Digital structures
- disease detectives
- dynamic planet
- ecology
- experimental design
- Fermi
- Flight
- Forensics
- Forestry
- Fossils
- Geologic mapping
- Home horticulture
- Microbe mission
- Mission possible
- Optics
- Robot tour
- Scrambler
- Solar power
- tower
- Wind power
- Write it do it
