MTSU is again hosting dozens of high school and middle
school students interested in science.
The 23rd Regional Science Olympiad will begin at 7
a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, wrapping up around 5:30 p.m. at the MTSU Science
Building. A total of 28 high school and middle school teams will be receiving a
hands-on experience into the world of science. Event organizers include several
of MTSU's own students, faculty and staff.
Dr. Pat Patterson, associate chemistry professor and director
of the regional tournament, is excited for students to participate in what she
considers "the best of STEM," or in other words, Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math.
"I want them to have a fun, safe environment for the
day," said Patterson. "Hopefully they'll have so much fun with
science and technology, so they can stay in this field or at least see some of
the applications of it … And I hope they see how beautiful this campus is.”
Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets,
consisting of a series of team events in each of the high school, middle school
and elementary divisions, the national organization’s website, www.soinc.org, says.
Student participants in the MTSU event will have the chance
to explore various scientific areas, including a little bit of engineering
during a "Hovercraft" activity. Categories all teams will be
competing in include "Disease Detectives," "Battery Buggy,"
"Roller Coaster" and "Mystery Architecture."
Events will be held throughout campus, including at the
Science Building, Wiser-Patten Science Hall, Davis Science Building, Kirksey
Old Main and a few others, Patterson said.
Returning schools participating in this year’s event include
Blackman Middle, Central Magnet and Rockvale, to name a few.
Medals will be rewarded to teams placing in first through
sixth place during the award ceremony held on campus. Four schools will advance
to the annual state Science Olympiad in Knoxville, Tennessee, in April at the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus.
"It will prepare them for the real world,” said
Patterson, who noted that State Farm’s financial support of the competing teams
is critical in making the Olympiad successful.
Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is one of the premier
science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based
challenges to 7,800 teams in all 50 states.
For more information about the MTSU regional, contact Patterson
by emailing Patricia.Patterson@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-5085.
To learn about the Tennessee Science Olympiad, visit http://tnscioly.utk.edu.
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