Science Olympiad for Raleigh area to be held at Garner High School
Jan. 14, 2005 - Middle and high school students in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties will compete in the Science Olympiad Region 4 tournament at Garner High School beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 5. Teams who win at the state s 12 regional competitions earn the chance to compete in the state Science Olympiad April 15-16 at NC State University.Michael Tally, WCPSS high school science administrator and Kim Gervase, Green Hope High science teacher, coordinate the Region 4 tournament.
"The Science Olympiad turns students on to math and science," said Tally. "In these events, students study in detail a math or science topic. It's like an Olympics competition. Over the years, it has grown with more and more students competing."
Schools have teams of 12 to 18 students that practice in clubs or elective classes during the school year to compete in the regional tournaments. Teams have two students compete in events at the tournament by taking written tests and performing lab activities. Middle school teams compete against each other in Division B activities. High school teams compete against each other in Division C activities.
Each competition has around 50 events. In an event on water quality, students would take a written test on water quality, complete a lab where they identify different organisms found in water and then use a device they have built for the competition to measure the salt content of water samples. Event topics may change each year.
The top six high school teams and the top seven middle school teams from Region 4 will advance to the state Science Olympiad. Students earn medals and trophies at the regional competition and the chance to compete for prizes and scholarships at the state level.
Tally is still seeking volunteers to help put on this year s event. Persons interested in volunteering, can contact Tally at mtally@wcpss.net More information on the Science Olympiad is at http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/science_olympiad/index.htm
-wcpss-