Skip to content

Putting their STEM skills to the test

These Aurora Middle School students put their marble roller coaster to the test during the second challenge of the day. Hundreds of students put their learning and skills to the test during Northern Lights Public School’s (NLPS) Science Olympics.
16.comm.science olympics001
H.E. Bourgoin Middle School Grade 6 students work on the construction of their marble rollercoaster during the second challenge of the day. (left to right) Laura Ryll, Ezra Pearson, Triston Jacob, and Alexa Gamble.

 These Aurora Middle School students put their marble rollercoaster to the test during the second challenge of the day.These Aurora Middle School students put their marble roller coaster to the test during the second challenge of the day.


Hundreds of students put their learning and skills to the test during Northern Lights Public School’s (NLPS) Science Olympics.


Schools from across the region made the trip to Bonnyville to take part in the annual Science Olympics, where students from Grades 6 to 9 put their Science, Technology, Environment, and Math (STEM) expertise to work.


The event features three challenges, all geared to have students work together, think creatively, and use their STEM knowledge,


Heather Stromquist, director of community partnerships and engagement for NLPS, said the Science Olympics is a day for kids across the Lakeland to engage in STEM-related activities.


“A lot of careers are moving into that area, and we want kids to be excited about those subject areas,” she explained.


This year, over 330 students took part in the challenges designed and tested by NLPS.


“We do a lot of investigating, work, and testing. We want to make sure they’re going to be successful with the activities, but that they will be challenging enough and will require a lot of team work and creativity, making them think outside of the box so they can get the best results,” Stromquist said.


Grade 9 BCHS students Kelly Bowler and Brook Graham were taking part in the Science Olympics for the first time.


 The Grade 9 BCHS students wait patiently as the judges take a look at their money bucket.The Grade 9 BCHS students wait patiently as the judges take a look at their money bucket.


Both students agreed the day was enlightening and challenging.


“It’s such a fun day and there is so much going on. If you like building things, working in teams, and science, this is the perfect place for you,” said Graham. 


Although they’re in Grade 9, and this is the last chance they will have to participate, the girls were happy to just get a shot at all.


Graham noted, “At our old school, we never had a chance to go because there was always something else that we were involved in at the time. This year was the only year we had a chance, and we really wanted to do it.”


For Stromquist and the rest of the NLPS staff, seeing their students collaborating and learning is the ultimate goal.


“It’s great that students are engaged in science and other curriculum areas that allow them to create these challenges. Life and jobs are full of challenges, and it takes teamwork. This is a skill that they need to have and practice while they’re here. Everybody has to be a part of that team in order to be successful.”


Dustin Blake, an Iron River School teacher, described the Science Olympics as a “powerful learning experience.”


He believes it’s important for students to take what they learn in the classroom and put it into practice.


“I hope the students learn a little bit about themselves and working in a group of their peers,” Blake said.


In order to prepare for the big day, he works with his students using breakout kits in their classroom. The escape room-like activities have them working together to solve puzzles and riddles.


The Science Olympics challenges on Thursday, April 12, forced the groups to think outside the box. 


For their first test, the students had to make an arm using newspaper, small amounts of tape, and straws. At the end of the structure, which was supported by the table, was a bucket. During the judging, pennies were dropped into the bucket to test its overall strength.


The second challenge had groups create a rollercoaster for a marble using limited materials. The longer the rollercoaster, the better.


Students were put to the test with the final challenge, where they had to make an egg fly. Using paper airplanes, students worked together to make the impossible, possible.


For Graham, the Science Olympics is a lot more than just going home with hardware.


“Science tests everything, and this tests not just your knowledge in science, it’s almost about how well you work with others, plan, and how well you can problem solve.”


Blake agreed, “Any time you get them collaborating, brainstorming, actually putting things into practice, and then maybe it fails and they have to scrap it or adapt it, I think that’s just so cool for them to put those things into practice rather than read it in a textbook or off of a work sheet.”


This year's results:
Grade 6
First Place: Iron River School - Daring Dragons
Second Place: Cold Lake Middle School - Starry Night
Third Place: H.E. Bourgoin Middle School - Mighty Chondria
Grade 7
First Place: Aurora Middle School - Little Piglets
Second Place: Kikino School - Eagles
Third Place : Cold Lake Middle School - The Kool Team
Grade 8
First Place: Iron River School - Grade 8
Second Place: Cold Lake Middle School - Electric Einsteins
Third Place: Aurora Middle School - We've Got Chemistry
Grade 9
First Place: Bonnyville Centralized High School - Team 3
Second Place: J.A. Williams High School - JAWS 1
Third Place: Bonnyville Centralized High School - PGL

 
push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks