Budding Scientists (04-13-08)

So, what do you know about amphibians and reptiles? Bio processes? What about food science, simple machines, tower building or meteorology? Would you consider yourself a “road scholar?”

Well, our students, both middle school and high school, recently demonstrated that they are knowledgeable in all these areas and many more. I am referring, of course, the 2008 Kansas Science Olympiad Tournament. The Kansas Science Olympiad is a statewide interscholastic competition that challenges the abilities of school teams to demonstrate their knowledge, ability, and skills in a wide variety of scientific areas.

This year, both our Longfellow Middle School team and our Hill City High School team qualified for the state tourney, held at Wichita State University.

Over fifty schools, divided into two divisions, competed in twenty-three different events, ranging through many scientific fields. From Earth Science, Physics, Biology and even some Chemistry, our student scientists had to know it all.

In all the events, we had ten top twenty finishes, and our teams came away with three medals: two bronze medals in Anatomy and Bio Process Lab, and a silver medal in an event called “Road Scholar.” According to coaches Linda Nighswonger and Richard Robinson, our students performed in a manner of which we can all be proud. They worked hard in both the preparation and implementation of scientific skill and knowledge.

Last week, I wrote about “budding artists,” to celebrate the incredible artistic efforts of our middle school students. This week, I was to take a moment to celebrate our budding scientists, those curious students who are not afraid to tackle difficult and complex subject matter and who are not daunted by a little scientific problem solving. Whether it be calculating trajectories or predicting the range of periods of waves, or even becoming a “science crime buster,” our young scientists are up for the task.

I used to coach forensics, and as an English teacher I appreciated the fact that there was a competitive forum for students to apply their skills in communication and other language arts. Now I am learning about Science Olympiad, and again I feel that same appreciation that there is a such a tournament. I am glad our students have a chance to be ranked with students from all over the state in the academic pursuit of scientific knowledge.

Especially in this day and age, there are many advantages to scientific expertise. Those who excel in scientific endeavors have the entire world at their feet. They will be the future engineers, doctors, and technicians. They will invent, discover, and cure. More than that, those who can speak the language of science will be able to heard and understood at the world table of scientific and technological innovation.

The world, they say, now moves at the speed of light, and it is these budding scientists that will be able to keep up. I even hope that some of our Hill City pride and joy will one day lead the way.