Science Olympiad is a nation-wide science competition in which teams from all across the country compete in a wide variety of stem-based events at regional competitions for the opportunity to advance to the state and national level competitions.

     “In elementary school I started competing in the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and I loved competing in that.  When I got to the junior high and heard about Science Olympiad, it sparked my interest because it had similar elements but it was in a completely different format,” said senior Shelley Ohler.

     The Science Olympiad is preparing for the regional competition at California University on March 7, 2018.  Each event requires different prep before the actual competition; some events require you to build things ahead of time; some require research and preparing binders.

     Participants have notebooks with helpful information for studying or reviewing information. Some don’t require any work ahead of time because they’re more of a hands on experience at the event.  The only way to prepare is to draw from past experience with the event or to set up and practice a similar situation.  With over 20 different events, and they incorporate all different branches of science.  

     Some of the events this year include Anatomy & Physiology, Astronomy, Chemistry Lab, Ecology, Forensics, Rocks & Minerals, Experimental Design, Optics, Hovercraft, and Microbe Mission.  Each year some of the old events are switched and add a few new ones are added covering different topics.  

     The science olympiad members work separately on the events in teams of two or groups of three, depending on the event.  Overall they compete together as a school with team of 15 members.  

     Medals are awarded to the top scoring teams/groups in each event, Ohler participating in multiple events, she could potentially win multiple medals.  The schools who do the best at the Regional Competition get to move on to the State Competition, and from there you get the chance to move on to the National Competition.

     Mrs. Hoopes is the advisor of the science olympiad.  She strives to make everyone involved better and more informed.  Members always look forward to the challenges that they get and continue to grow each year.

     “We welcome new members every year, you don’t need any prior experience with the competition to be able to join. Anyone with a passion or interest in anything science would be a perfect fit,” said Shelley.