Until this year, senior Aiden Platt had no knowledge of astronomy. But now, through Science Olympiad, he is competing against students around the state in written tests on the subject. During the club’s meetings, he has learned about astronomy, along with numerous other sciences, with his teammates while preparing for their competitions. Now, he can identify deep-space objects and has a better understanding of how the universe works.
“In school, you learn the surface-level science,” Aiden said, “but in Science Olympiad, you dig deep and learn the deep and wide-reaching scope of science. It’s really cool.”
Along with astronomy, Aiden also competes in other events. One is Chem Lab, where students do a lab experiment paired with a written test. Another is Air Trajectory, in which participants build a device that can throw a ping-pong ball and calibrate it to land within two to eight meters of the target, depending on the competition. Lastly, he competes in Experimental Design, where the students are given materials, a theme, and a scientific hypothesis which they must experiment with using only the materials provided and everything they learned in club meetings and science classes.
By doing Science Olympiad, Aiden has immersed himself in the world of science alongside his teammates. All of the students compete in multiple events, as the team provides students with an environment where they can learn about science and make long-lasting connections with each other.
Members of the team can learn about a vast variety of sciences, including, but not limited to, astronomy, chemistry, physics, build events, ecology, robotics, coding, and more. Their advisors, including long-time teacher of FHC, Kristy Butler, provide students with the opportunity to learn in a collaborative environment.
“Science Olympiad is an amazing opportunity to build community and to explore different areas of science and engineering,” Butler said. “There are events where students can build, create, and test multiple devices. Students work together in teams to complete challenges to demonstrate their knowledge in different events.”
These opportunities set students up for success not only in the club but in the classroom, too. It helps them develop a strong understanding of science and how it interacts—and inherently exists within—the world around them.
The advisors for the team provide students with the resources they need to learn and be properly prepared for the competition they attend each year. They have to support students while they learn about the expansive world of science and everything that it has to offer.
“Students work to create resources for their events within a set of event rules,” Butler said. “We help provide them with various resources and practice tests.”
Although the focus of the team is to learn science, students have learned other skills and built connections along the way. Senior Ana Bolt started doing Science Olympiad during her sophomore year. Since then, she has learned how to be more flexible as she faces challenges in and out of the club.
“After competing in Science Olympiad, I have learned how to adapt and work in different situations,” Ana said. “There have been times when I have been put into an event two to three days before the competition, leaving me little time to prepare. However, everyone on the team is encouraging, and trying new events is always exciting and interesting.”
As the team spends more time together throughout their season, they become closer and support each other in their struggles and triumphs while practicing and competing. They work together to learn and, in some events, compete with partners. In some events, a score as low as fifty percent on a written test can be successful, and although it leads to medals, many find it discouraging.
The team has built a community where they build each other up and make long competition days fun between arduous events.
“Everyone on the team at Science Olympiad is supportive and fun to hang out with,” Ana said. “Usually, when we are waiting between events or for awards, the team will get together to play games.”
The Science Olympiad team is an amazing opportunity for any students who are passionate about science and all it has to offer. It is not only a way to learn but a way to make new connections and experience new things. Beyond being fun, informative, and collaborative, Science Olympiad also aids students looking to enter the STEM field after high school.
“I think that [Science Olympiad] has set me up for what my regular [life] will be like in college,” Aiden said. “It has exposed me to more areas of science than I would be exposed to otherwise.”
