Page 11 - Aerotech News and Review March 3 2017

Antelope Valley College hosts Science Olympiad
by Linda KC Reynolds
staff writer
The Antelope Valley College re- cently hosted the 31st Annual Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad with hundreds of students competing in STEM activities.
The Science Olympiad is an in- ternational, non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing rec- ognition for outstanding achievement in science education by students, teachers and parents.
Goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, train- ing workshops and the encourage- ment of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. The Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous, academic, interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the year.
Fulton & Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering of Lancaster, Calif.,
placed third out of 25 schools. “We are very proud especially since our school just opened up in August and this is our first year participating,” said Principal Dr. Andy Glatfelter.
Each year, there are approximate- ly 23 challenging and motivational events that are drawn from the vari- ous disciplines of biology, earth sci- ence, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. There is a balance between events requiring knowledge of science facts, concepts processes, skills and science applications.
Students from Cyrus J. Morris El- ementary School didn’t mind the 80 mile drive from Walnut, Calif., espe- cially since they came home with a gold medal.
“We have been studying and prac- ticing very hard since December,” said volunteer Karen Motus. During breaks at the competition she said students were encouraged to just be kids, meet other students and put down their electronics.
“They study so hard, it is nice just to see them play today.”
two Division B events this year: Wind Power and Mission Possible.
“We are a Visual and Performing Arts school so the Science Olympiad is a huge enrichment program,” said Principal Bonnie Bolton.
She said that an added benefit is that the event takes place at Antelope Valley College which is the closest college to her students and it also has an accelerated high school called SOAR on camps where students earn their high school diploma and an AA degree in four years. “Exposure to these campuses brings it more into the students’ awareness and possibilities. The real benefit is that the students learn a lot preparing for the com- petition and the confidence that they gain going up against wealthier, more prestigious schools that have science as a focus.”
For more information, visit www. scienceolympiad.org.
Photographs by Linda KC Reynolds
Hundreds of students participated in the Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad that was hosted by Antelope Valley College. Students compete in approximately 23 challenging and motivational events that are drawn from the various disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology.
Lockheed Martin engineer Ryan Kessler measures Lake Los Angeles students’ Faith Torres and Sam Toxqui’ plane for the Wright Stuff competition at the Science Olympiad. Both students participated in “Build and Test” events. Their school medalled in two Division B events this year: Wind Power and Mission Possible.
Motus said that her group became a fam- ily. “We had potlucks while studying with the kids and we be- came very close. You don’t need to be an engineer to help kids, you just have to be available and willing to put in the time.” She was proud that her small school placed so well.
Lake Los An- geles medalled in
Maya Goldkorn and Ella Cox from Horace Mann in Beverly Hills try to fix their project for the “Wright Stuff” competition at the Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad at Antelope Valley College.
Lockheed Martin photo by Kevin Robertson
Students from Fulton & Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering place third overall during the Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad. The new school opened in August 2016 and this was their first time entering the competition.
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March 3, 2017
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