For release: Feb. 22, 2013
News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Regional Science
Olympiad contact: Dr. Pat Patterson, 615-898-5085 (office), 615-869-9984
(cell) or Patricia.Patterson@mtsu.edu
MURFREESBORO — Parts
of the MTSU campus will be buzzing with activity all day Saturday, Feb. 23,
with the return of the 18th annual Regional Science Olympiad
competition.
More than 400 boys and girls representing 15 middle schools
and 13 high schools from across the area will be participating. Events will
begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 2:15 p.m., and be held in various campus
buildings. Awards’ presentations will start at 3:20 in the new Student Union
Building.
Science
Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic competitions that consist of a
series of team events, which students prepare for during the year, the national
organization’s website said. These challenging and motivational events are well
balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science,
chemistry, physics and technology. There also is a balance between events
requiring knowledge of science concepts, process skills and science
applications.
“It’s
excitement,” said Dr. Pat Patterson, an MTSU chemistry professor who is in her
11th year as Regional Science Olympiad director and 14th
year altogether. “I’m excited for the (competing) students. I’m excited for the
MTSU students to see what these young people are doing.”
Fifty-plus
students in a Patterson-taught physical science for pre-service teachers class
volunteer for extra credit, she said.
“It’s a good
opportunity for them to see what knowledge and skills kids have at the middle
and high school level,” Patterson said. “It’s a good outreach experience.”
Competing
middle schools include Blackman, Central Magnet, Daysprings (two teams from
Greenbrier), La Vergne, Oakland, Rockvale, Smyrna (two teams), Spring Hill, St.
Andrews-Sewanee, St. Henry (two teams), St. Rose of Lima and Woodland
(Brentwood).
Participating
high schools include Blackman, Cascade, Central Magnet, Franklin, Hume-Fogg
Academic (two teams), La Vergne, Oakland, Riverdale, Smyrna, Spring Hill, St.
Andrews-Sewanee and University School of Nashville.
The top five
middle and top four high school teams will advance to the State Science
Olympiad Saturday, April 6, at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
“It’s STEM
standards in action,” Patterson said of the competition and of all the science,
technology, engineering and math needed by the teams and individuals. “It’s not
a quiz bowl; it’s not a science fair. It’s science in action. It’s students
showing that they know and understand science concepts.”
Twenty-three
events are held in both middle (Division B) and high school (Division C).
Designer Genes, Disease Detectives, Elastic Launched Glider, Gravity Vehicle
and Robot Arm are just five of the high school competition categories. Middle
school categories include Mousetrap Vehicle, Crime Busters, Dynamic Planet,
Keep the Heat and Shock Value.
Dan Royse,
assistant director in the Forensics Division of the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation, has agree to present the awards in the Forensics (high school)
and Crime Busters (middle school) categories, Patterson said
More than 40
MTSU faculty members and students serve as event coordinators and 60 students
serve as volunteers to support the faculty, she added.
In
addition to faculty members from across campus and the MTSU administration,
Patterson receives community support from State Farm, General Mills, the
National Society of Black Engineers, and Murfreesboro City and Rutherford
County schools. She also coordinates the Elementary Science Olympiad, which
will be held Saturday, May 4, at John Pittard Elementary School.
###
MTSU is committed to developing a community
devoted to learning, growth and service. We hold these values dear, and there’s
a simple phrase that conveys them: “I am True Blue.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For
MTSU news any time, visit www.MTSUNews.com.
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment