Aquinas Catholic Middle School Science Olympiad Team placed 3rd out of 25 teams at the State Competition held on April 15 at the University of Lincoln East Campus. Fifteen Aquinas Catholic students competed in 22 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) events. Their third-place finish tied for the school’s team record finish at the State Science Olympiad Competition.
Science Olympiad competitions consist of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. There are no individual events; each event is competed via partners or small groups where teamwork is essential.
Nebraska State Science Olympiad Competition is fierce and not divided by school enrollment. Of the 23 events, Aquinas participated in 22 and placed in 15. Two events won first place: Fast Facts by siblings Jacob and Rebecca Wacker; Road Scholar by Rebecca Wacker and Anna Meysenburg.
The popularity of the Aquinas Science Olympiad Team has grown each year under the guidance of MS Science Teacher, Mrs. Shelly Mayo, who was awarded Outstanding Coach at the State Competition.
2023 Aquinas Catholic MS Science Olympiad Team: front row (from left to right) Rilley Lowe, Mrs. Mayo, Lexie Parker, and Max Oliver. Middle row: Sabra Meister, Holly Schmid, Anna Meysenburg, Rebecca Wacker, Regina Breiner, Kolbe Pytlik and Madelyn Emory. Back row: Rebekah Masek, Simon Grady, Kristin Coufal, Jacob Wacker, Ellie Piitz, Gunner Marushak, and Robert Dalton.
I enjoy science, but this program and these students sure make me love it even more. Science is everywhere and effects everyone, go enjoy the science in your life.