At Chattanooga State, over 270 students from 3rd to 5th grade gathered to participate in the Elementary Science Olympiad after a three-year hiatus. The event featured 24 STEM-related activities that challenged participants to apply their knowledge and skills in various fields.
One of the standout teams at the event was Jameson Cavanagh and Brennan Yann, both fourth graders who worked together on several challenges, including the egg drop. Their team successfully completed the challenge without breaking their egg, demonstrating their creativity and resourcefulness in finding alternative materials to protect their egg.
Different techniques were used by competitors to complete various challenges, such as using bubble wrap to safeguard their egg. In-class activities like sky quest were also a popular feature of the event, where Samara Brigner and Lainey Stalans tested their knowledge of constellations.
Megan Bragg, an associate professor of chemistry at Chattanooga State, was one of the organizers of the event. She emphasized how events like this can help students explore math and science further, creating future career opportunities in STEM fields. Bragg believes that exposing students to different subjects can help them find their interests early on, potentially leading them down a path towards careers in STEM.
Both participants Yann and Cavanagh expressed how much they enjoyed the hands-on activities and challenges that sparked their curiosity about science and math. They appreciated the opportunity to work together as a team and learn new skills along the way.
Overall, the Elementary Science Olympiad provided an excellent opportunity for young students to explore STEM-related fields while having fun and learning valuable skills that will serve them well in the future.