MTSU faculty, staff to assist 400-plus students at April 28 Elementary Science Olympiad
Young geniuses interested in all things science will experience pasta mobiles, pentathlons and more during the 11th annual Elementary Science Olympiad.
A total of 17 teams from 14 different elementary schools will be putting their thinking caps on Saturday, April 28, at host John Pittard Elementary School, located at 745 Dejarnette Lane in Murfreesboro.
More than 400 elementary-age students will have an opportunity to bond around the topics of science, technology, engineering and math, commonly known as STEM fields.
Participating schools include Bradley Academy; Christiana Elementary; Dayspring Academy from Greenbrier, Tennessee; Discovery School at Bellwood; Erma Siegel Elementary; John P. Buchanan School; John Pittard; Northfield Elementary; Pearre Creek Elementary from Franklin, Tennessee; Reeves Rogers, Scales, Stewartsboro and Walter Hill elementary schools.
MTSU faculty and staff partner with Murfreesboro City Schools to hold the event, which will be aided this year and next by a $5,000 grant from General Mills.
Associate chemistry professor Pat Patterson is excited to bring back some experimental activities she’s done in the past.
“‘A is for Anatomy’ is new, but the Pentathlon is wonderful … kids will love it,” said Patterson, who is also director of the Elementary and Regional Science Olympiads.
During the Pentathlon event, students will have a chance to advance from station to station by answering questions about science. To advance to the next station, students will be asked to do a physical activity such as skipping or hula-hooping.
Medals will be distributed during each of the 24 events to teams finishing in first through 10th place. Every student will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the competition.
Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad provides meticulous, standards-based challenges to 7,800 teams in all 50 states.
For more information about the Elementary and Regional Science Olympiads, call 615-898-5085.
