Local students to compete at Science Olympiad regional tournament on Feb. 8

More than 20 Science Olympiad teams from 12 area middle and high schools will gather on the Goshen College campus to compete in hands-on science events for the annual Science Olympiad regional tournament on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Modeled after the Olympic games, participating schools field teams of up to 15 students who compete in a variety of science events at the regional and state competitions. Some events require students to build a model bridge, machine or protein that they demonstrate. All events require students to exhibit their knowledge of science in an applied manner. Goshen College students, faculty, and staff, and members of the local community serve as judges and volunteers.

Goshen College will award participants in its C-Division (high school) Science Olympiad Regional Tournaments a four-year renewable scholarship to attend Goshen College, for anyone participating in the C-Division tournaments going back to 2016. The scholarship will be $500 annually for students who participated one year, and $1,000 annually for students who participated for two or more years. This scholarship will be in addition to any other merit-based scholarship the student is awarded.

With more than 200 students participating, five middle school teams and four high school teams will advance to the state tournament. This year’s state competition will be held at Indiana University Bloomington on Saturday, March 14.

The day will begin with registration, at 7:30 a.m., and a welcome ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m., both in the Church-Chapel. The participants will then proceed to compete in various events throughout campus. An awards ceremony at 3:45 p.m. in the Church-Chapel will conclude the day. The Science Olympiad opening and awards ceremonies are open to the community, but some competitions are closed to observers. The competitions will take place in Goshen College’s Church-Chapel, Newcomer Center, Administration Building, Union Building, Wyse Hall and the Science Building.

The teams in Division B (grades six to nine) will come from the following schools: Bethany Christian Schools, Goshen Middle School, LaSalle Intermediate Academy (two teams), Manchester Jr/Sr High School (two teams), Northridge High School (two teams), Northview Middle School and The Stanley Clark School (two teams).

Teams in Division C (grades nine to 12) will come from the following schools: Bethany Christian Schools, Columbia City High School, John Adams High School (two teams), LaLumiere School (two teams), Lake Central High School (two teams), Manchester Jr/Sr High School, Mishawaka High School and Northridge High School (two teams).

The Science Olympiad began in 1983 and involves more than 12,000 schools nationally.

For more information and a schedule of the day’s events, contact David Housman, professor of mathematics, at (574) 535-7405, or Jody Saylor, associate professor of biology (574) 535-7306, or visit www.goshen.edu/academics/science-olympiad/.