Over the weekend, the fourth annual Alaska Middle School Science Olympiad took place at the Troth Yeddha campus. After a day of intense science competitions, Discovery Peak Charter emerged victorious and secured first place. They will now advance to the national competition in Los Angeles, California.
More than 100 students from various schools around Alaska gathered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to showcase their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills in a series of challenges.
The Alaska Science Olympiad is a collaborative effort by the Alaska National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, along with the UAF College of Engineering and Mines, the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics, and the UAF Makerspace. Approximately 100 volunteers, including UAF professors, students, and staff, contributed to the event.
In the past four years, interest in the nationwide event has grown significantly among Alaskans, with 12 teams from 11 schools participating this year. Each team consists of 15 students who engage in various STEM challenges aimed at fostering collaborative thinking.
The competition features events that involve analyzing weather, evaluating water quality, and studying the spread of infections. One unique event specific to Alaska is the mariculture event, where students demonstrate their understanding of ecology, animal and plant biology, and environmental chemistry.
Additionally, there are four build events where teams design and construct contraptions to meet specific requirements. These events include building a wooden and rubber helicopter, a self-propelled hovercraft, a boomilever, and a “scrambler” designed to transport an egg without breaking it.
The Patty Center was transformed into a competitive zone, with middle schoolers adding final touches to their creations before putting them to the test. Discovery Peak Charter’s team, known as Discovery Dinos, achieved success through rigorous practice sessions three times a week since September.
At the awards ceremony, the Discovery Dinos celebrated their victory after showcasing their skills in events like the boomilever challenge. The team will now represent Alaska at the national competition in California, aiming to make their mark on a larger stage.
