After a three-year hiatus, the Elementary Science Olympiad has returned with a vengeance. Two-hundred and seventy students from 3rd grade through 5th grade participated in 24 STEM-related activities at Chattanooga State. Jameson Cavanagh, an Olympiad competitor in fourth grade, explained that one of the tasks involved building a device out of certain materials to protect an egg. Cavanagh partnered with Brennan Yann and the two successfully completed the egg drop task without breaking their egg. Yann described another task where they had to throw the egg into a target from a specific height.
Other competitors, such as Samara Brigner and Lainey Stalans, focused on different activities like sky quest, which tested their knowledge of constellations. Brigner mentioned that they learned about the strength of different materials, with paper and Styrofoam being effective choices. Stalans explained her involvement in an activity called ‘name that scientist,’ matching scientists to their inventions.
Megan Bragg, an associate professor of chemistry at Chattanooga State, played a key role in organizing the event. She oversaw stations like ‘bridge-a-roni,’ where students tested pasta pieces to see how much weight they could hold. Bragg emphasized the importance of STEM events in encouraging students to explore math and science further, possibly leading to future career opportunities.
Bragg believed that developing interests at a young age could potentially lead students to pursue careers in STEM fields. She expressed the joy of seeing students engage in the activities and gain educational benefits while having fun. Cavanagh and Yann agreed that the Olympiad was both enjoyable and educational, highlighting the positive impact of participating in such events.
The return of Elementary Science Olympiad is not only exciting for participants but also for educators who recognize its value in promoting STEM education among young minds. The event provides an opportunity for children to engage with science and technology in an interactive way while learning valuable skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.
STEM education is becoming increasingly important as we prepare our children for future careers that require knowledge and skills related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By participating in events like Elementary Science Olympiad
