The CHS Science Olympiad team went to the Indiana State Science Olympiad Competition at Purdue Northwest-Hammond. The team faced tough competition from the other teams and placed 14th overall. Although the team did not get a prize for its participation, some students won medals in their respective events. Logan Synder and Izdel Huerta placed third in the Detector Building. Olivia Callaway and Nicholas Carpentier also placed third in the ecology event.
Science Olympiad competitions feature 23 events that focus on science and engineering topics. The topics are either build or test events. In build events, students have to build a device that will compete against other team’s devices. Flight, Detector Building, and Tower are all build events. In test events, students have to take a test on a certain science-based topic. Students are supposed to compile a binder or a one-pager, which can be used on the test. Forestry and Ecology are both test events.
“I believe that Science Olympiad is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I have learned so much, made some wonderful friends, and lastly had so much fun! It’s a laid-back environment, and we focus on our events while also learning in the process. I learned a lot of time management and astronomy for instance,’’ said Sophomore Sophia Sylvester. ”But overall, I think that this is a great way to meet people and learn at the same time.’’
The CHS Science Olympiad team consists of Izdel Berruecos Huerta, Olivia Callaway, Nicholas Carpentier, Piotr Chmura, Giacomo DePasquale, Ira Kashyap, Alaina McGrogan, Rosalie Salentine, Ross Saunders, Logan Snyder, Sophia Sylvester, Callum Webb, Taryn Wellensiek, Oliver Wood, Lauren Yarosz, Jany Zhang, and Sophia Zhang. Coach is Katie Mueller along with assistant coaches Stephanie Nichols, Cassie Wallace, and Amy Henderlong.
The team’s great performance at state follows an exceptional regional competition. The team placed 4th at regionals with 108 points. CHS placed 1st in Dynamic Planet, Forestry, Scrambler, Ecology, and Flight.
