Now in its 29th consecutive year, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64’s Science Olympiad will stretch the ingenuity of 334 students in grades 3-5 this year, up by 40% in just two years. This year’s competition – the biggest in recent memory – will again include more girls (177) than boys (157).
The Olympiad will be conducted on Saturday, February 7 at 9:00 a.m. at Emerson Middle School, 8101 N. Cumberland, Niles.
Working with volunteer parents as coaches, students organized into teams have been busy for months preparing and practicing to meet the unique challenges that test their skills in science and technology in fun ways.
At the Olympiad, students working in teams represent their home elementary schools in five different events: aerodynamics, egg drop, mystery box, rubber band catapult, and structures. Each event is co-sponsored by District 64 and one of the elementary school PTO/As.
"We know both from research and from our experience in teaching young children that extra-curricular opportunities, such as Science Olympiad, have an enduring impact on students,” according to Dr. Tony Clishem, curriculum specialist for science, health and social studies.
“Boosted by the creative and positive experiences they have here, we know that many of these students do go on to pursue paths that will lead to STEM careers (science-technology-engineering-math)," he added.
First, second, and third place teams will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.
Additional information can be found on the Science Olympiad page of the District’s website.