By ASHLEY SWEET
Contributing Writer
This Saturday, Feb.8, students from all over the Capital Region got up and ready go to at 7:00 a.m. for the 30th Annual Science Olympiad. The Olympiad was started by Gerald J. Putz of Macomb School District in Michigan in 1982, and Saint Rose has been hosting the event for the past 20 years. This year, the Olympiad hosted 15 schools, 22 teams and over 200 students, and it grows in both numbers and support each year.
“As an institution that prides itself on community service, I see no better way to give back to the region than to host such an event,” stated Steve Strazza, a chemistry professor at Saint Rose, who began organizing and running the event on campus. He further mentioned that it was a pleasure to be a part of an event so greatly enjoyed by all its participants.
The event has over 7,000 teams of middle and high school students across 50 states, and Puerto Rico. Its aim is to help students explore different areas of science, become aware of fellow students and careers, and give teachers an outlet and means to expand beyond the classroom through a series of friendly competitions.
Middle school level (Division B) and high school level (Division C) have separate events to keep the competition fair. Each event is scored or graded, and each team earns point towards their school. The top three teams receive medals and a trophy, and will advance from this event to the Regional level, and hopefully on to the State level.
“This event provides an opportunity for students to show off academic abilities as opposed to physical ones,” said Rose Mochmuth, a science teacher and event coordinator of 18 years, from Schalmont High School.
“It is those skills that aren’t highlighted as often in the community, and this is a chance for knowledge to have the spotlight.”
The attending teachers and students praised Saint Rose for not only hosting the event, but keeping it organized. From check-in at 7:30 a.m. until the end of all activities late in the afternoon, they said they had little to worry about, and focus remained on the friendly competition. Lori Nunzianto, parent of Ravena-Coeymans from Selkirk High School, was thankful Saint Rose hosted the event. “This is a large component of [the student’s] education. It allows them to explore different academic avenues in a team building environment,” she said.
“It’s an exceptional way to take the students off campus and into a place of friendly environment. I believe this teaches them responsibility and how to coordinate and communicate with one another,” said a science teacher at Ballston Spa, Mary Ellen Kusnierz.
There were 23 events, all of which took place over the course of the day in regulated, yet overlapping time slots. Events were held in various classrooms in the Science Center, EAC, and Lally. Schools are allowed to have up to two teams each, usually naming them after their respective school colors. The teams were then placed by their teachers in the events throughout the day. Events included various tests, labs, and demonstrations in many areas of science, including astronomy, mapping, forensics and chemistry.
Angela Richards, a math professor at Emma Willard High School, commented on the teambuilding nature of the events, saying, “These kids are able to meet other students in a positive environment who are interested in the same things they are, which is wonderful.”
Barb Davis, a science teacher at Cooperstown High, mentioned that all of the seniors on her team have been coming to the Science Olympiad since they were freshmen, and they learn new material and skills each year. Cooperstown High was not the only school to express how they have many returning students at this particular event each year.
Natural Science Association President, Keri Robinson, explained that the scores will be tabulated and posted on Monday, Feb. 10 for the students to see. Strazza, Robinson, and participating faculty member, Stephanie Maes, commented on how the event has been positive not only for the attending students, but for the College as well. The group is looking forward to many more years of being its host. This is excellent news, since the volunteering students at Saint Rose are already anticipating their “Big Kid Science Fair” next spring.
