Scientific Showdown: Louisiana Science Olympiad State Finals Display Talent and Knowledge in STEM Fields

The Louisiana Science Olympiad state finals were recently hosted by Louisiana Christian University (LCU) on April 13. Middle and high school students from 16 schools across the state participated in the event, showcasing their skills and knowledge in various scientific disciplines. Over 200 students took part in the competition, which served as a platform for them to compete for a chance to represent Louisiana at the national finals in May.

The competition featured two divisions: Division B for grades 6-9 and Division C for grades 9-12. Each division included 23 events, with teams of two or three students from each school competing in different challenges. LCU was honored to host this event for the first time, as pointed out by Theodore Chiasson, an associate professor of computer science who currently serves as the state director of the National Science Olympiad for Louisiana.

The competitions covered a wide range of STEM areas, from robotics to chemistry to optics to ecology and more. With 46 separate competitions and first, second, and third place finishes, the schools’ rankings were determined based on their performance. The top two teams from each division earned the opportunity to compete at the National Robot Olympiad finals in Michigan in May.

In the Division C category, Baton Rouge Magnet School secured first place, followed by St. Martin’s Episcopal School in second place, and The Willow School in third place. For Division B, Glasgow Middle School took home first place, with St. John Berchmans Catholic School and St. Paul’s Episcopal School claiming second and third place, respectively.

The National Science Olympiad is a prestigious national competition that involves participants from all 50 states