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High School Science Stars Race to Beat the Clock

The annual Great Lakes Science Olympiad brought top students from local high schools to campus for a fun-filled science-based competition.

Events are designed and run by teacher candidates in the Faculty of Education, headed by Professor Geri Salinitri and grads Paul Preney (an instructor and doctoral candidate in computer science, BSc 1996, MSc 2000, BEd 2006) and John Salalila (an elementary and high school teacher, BSc 1998, BEd 2006).

"Our student teachers develop problem-based challenges, taking questions from the standard curriculum and putting them into different context for the elite group from city and county secondary schools," Dr. Salinitri said. "The high school students get an enriched experience, and our teachers learn how to reach out to these advanced students."

Teams of students compete against the clock and each other in six areas of science and technology—biology, chemistry, physics and engineering, computer science, general science knowledge and an Amazing Race-style event of four mini-challenges that emphasized quick thinking and teamwork.

"It's about responding to and trying to solve challenges both individually and as a team," Preney said.

"I want to help out as long as I can," Salalila said. "Nothing can top the look of satisfaction on everyone's face after their team has worked through, struggled, and solved a challenging puzzle."

Events included:

• Biology-based Blood and Bones in Siberia, won by Cardinal Carter;

• Chemistry's Next Top Model, won by Massey;

• Sticky Slimy Slopes, won by Belle River;

• Physics and engineering-based The Alan Parsons Project, won by Kennedy;

• The trivia contest Science Pursuit, won by Massey;

• Eyeball Benders, won by Harrow, and

• The Amazing Race, won by Holy Names.