Area students test abilities, show off in science olympics

Gabe Mier's rubber band-powered plane flew for 35.4 seconds at Saturday's Science Olympiad in the Scott City High School gym.

"The whole thing is cockeyed, but it still works," said the 17-year-old Mier.

That's just a part of science.

"Compensation and making it work are what it's all about," said Bruce Asher, his science teacher at Fredericktown High School.

A total of 74 students from three junior high schools and six high schools participated. Participating high schools were Oran, Scott City, Fredericktown, East Prairie, New Madrid and Meadow Heights.

"It gives academic kids a time to show off," Asher said. "They don't get to do that like kids involved in sports."

Melody Green, Oran High School science teacher and director of this year's olympiad, said she brought a smaller group of students than last year. She blamed budget cuts, and added that the registration fee is $80 per team.

Teams that place first through fourth can go on to compete at the state level without paying another registration fee. The state competition will be held on April 24 in Columbia.

The national tournament will be May 21 and 22 at Juniata College in Pennsylvania. More than 14,000 students from all 50 states and Ontario participate.

"Building confidence and encouraging creativity are important here," Green said. "Especially important is the excitement these competitions bring out in the kids -- at the junior and senior high level excitement about school is somewhat lacking."

But creativity didn't come solely from the competition.

Luke St. Mary and Trevor Miller of New Madrid High School were inspired by 5-year-old friend Zach Hahs.

"We wanted to amuse him," Miller said. "He always had this great big smile on his face when we'd fly the plane, and we loved watching him be happy."

Daniel Green, a Meadow Heights High School science teacher and coach, ran the experimental design competition. Students received a packet of random materials in which they must invent, conduct and record an experiment.

"It's the basis of science," Green said. "It forces them to think on their feet."

cpagano@semissourian.com

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