HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB)- Getting students excited for science was not a hard task Friday at the Science Olympiad at Adams Central High School. This year things were a little different at the competition. The science olympiad brought over 200 kids from 14 different schools to compete in topics from coding, to rocket science, to fossils. For the first time, elementary students were able to join in on the fun.
The Adams Central Science Olympiad welcomed in over 200 kids from 14 different schools and this year elementary students we allowed in on the competitions. (KSNB)
Students designed rockets, identified ancient species, and created their own video games. The olympiad is something those passionate about science have been looking forward to.
“You always get curious about what you’re doing next but it’s really fun,” Doniphan-Trumbull 5th Grader Makenzie Carmin said.
Elementary age students didn’t have to compete but they were put to the test to see how they can problem-solve.
“Bringing the elementary school kids in allows them to be in a room full of other elementary kids with the same design challenge just to see what they are able to come up with and to semi-compete with each other,” ESU9 Professional Learning Specialist Kreisten Slechta said.
The Science Olympiad covers topics they may not get to dive into in class. Organizers said they want kids to start fostering those interests even before they reach middle school.
“I like chemistry and physics just because I like to do actions and physically do it instead of just studying it,” Adams Central elementary 4th Grader Ellie Wahlmeier said.
Many of the challenges reflect competitions they can partake in middle and high school. The older kids can go on to the regional and state competitions. Some challenges took some preparation, like the ping pong rockets. others, like the food science, are presented the day of.
“I think the science of it is really cool because we get to be rocket scientists and that’s always a big dream of mine and I just like food because it has a lot of science in it and it’s kind of like rockets where you have to be very specific with everything you’re doing,” St. Cecilia 6th Grader Kathryn Van Skiver said.
Adams Central had the day off of class, but teachers said they love to see students come in anyway to learn more about science.