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Southeastern to host Oklahoma Science Olympiad Invitational on February 23

February 1, 2019

The Science Olympiad will feature a number of events on February 23

By UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

DURANT, Okla. – More than 200 middle school and high school students from more than 20 public and private schools across the Oklahoma and Texas will compete in the Oklahoma Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

The event is part of Super Saturday activities at the University on February 23.

Other events that day include Vocal Music auditions, Theatre auditions, Honors scholarship competition, and President’s Leadership Class scholarship competition. An Academic Department Fair is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union. During this time, faculty members will be available to visit with prospective students.

The Olympiad tournament is being hosted by the Department of Chemistry, Computer, and Physic Sciences.  The students will compete  on 2-4 person teams in one or more of 46 events that include most areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Oklahoma has been involved in Science Olympiad for 18 years.  This is Southeastern’s fourth year to host this Science Olympiad Invitation Tournament. Science Olympiad competitions are similar to academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school).

Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology.  By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved.  Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation.

Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and the Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances.  In the Towers event, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad’s most popular events.

Most of the competing schools will come from within Oklahoma.  However, this year’s event will include teams from Colleyville, Texas, and Amarillo, Texas.

Team registration remains open until February 20.

Faculty and staff from the Department of Biological Science and Department of Chemistry, Computer, and Physical Sciences have volunteered to design events, write and grade exams, and provide the support to make this event happen.  In addition, Southeastern student volunteers are signed up to help with the competitions.

Local school teachers and administrators interested in learning about the Science Olympiad are encouraged to visit and watch the competitions.  The goal is to promote enthusiasm towards science so that more students consider STEMs careers.

For more information about the Science Olympiad event, contact Dr. Tim Smith at tsmith@se.edu.