Sonoran Students Compete in Their First Science Olympiad
On Saturday, March 13, Sonoran Science Academy students competed in their first-ever Arizona State Science Olympiad competition. Science Olympiad is one of the premiere science competitions in the country, with over 5300 teams competing in 48 states. This year, the competition consisted of 23 official events and two trial events. A team can include up to 15 students, each of whom competes in a variety of events. Our school competed in the B or middle school division. The team included twelve students, including students from sixth through ninth grade. In addition to middle schoolers, up to five ninth graders are allowed to compete on the team.
This year’s team included Josh Djakaria, Vlad Kovalsky, Steven Argentati, Kasey Crom, Hugh Fox, Walter Hensley, Nicholas Reyes, Bogden Racolta, Nathaniel Hanson, Zack Wellington, Dannin Hansen, and Ian Lennon. Students worked with the science teachers to prepare for a number of events, practicing during literature enrichment and after school. As this was our first year competing, focus was given to a few specific events, rather than trying to master the full complement of challenges. With some experience in the workings of the competition, now, however, we plan to participate in the full range of challenges next year.
Sonoran students made a strong showing at the competition, and placed in most of the events they competed in. Ribbons were awarded for each event through tenth place. Results included the following awards:
Vlad Kovalsky and Josh Djakaria - 1st place for Crave the Wave (wave science)
Ian Lennon, Bogden Racolta,
Nathaniel Hanson, and Kasey Crom – 2nd place for Pentathlon
Josh Djakaria and Steven Argentati – 2nd place for Reach for the Stars (astronomy)
Bodgen Racolta and Ian Lennon – 3rd place for Environmental Chemistry
Hugh Fox and Josh Djakaria – 3rd place for Egg Drop
Bogden Racolta and Ian Lennon – 4th place for Ecology
Hugh Fox and Walter Hensley - 5th place for Bio Process
Steven Argentati and Zack
Wellington - 8th place for Science Word (vocabulary)
Kacey Crom and Nathaniel Hanson - 10th place for Anatomy
Nick Reyes and Walter Hensley - 10th place for Amphibians and Reptiles
Students had a great time learning what was involved in the various competitions and are ready to start practicing for next year’s event. Students who are interested in Science Olympiad for next year should watch for the Science Olympiad announcements at the start of next school year. This was a fun competition and students had a chance to show what they know from across the spectrum of science fields.
