The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno will host the ÁùºÏ±¦µä State Science Olympiad for the first time on Saturday, March 3, in the Davidson Mathematics and Science Center and Scrugham Engineering and Mines buildings on campus. The ÁùºÏ±¦µä Olympiad, one of more than 240 regional and state tournaments in the country, will include middle and high school STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) participants from around the state competing for the chance to go to the 28th Annual National Science Olympiad, this year held at the University of Central Florida.
Volunteer faculty members from the University, as well as community educators, will serve as judges for the all-day event. Categories for the Olympiad are Science Concepts and Knowledge, Science Processes and Thinking Skills and Science Application and Technology. Each year's event themes are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering, civil 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.
Stan Omaye, professor in the University's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources and volunteer facilitator for the state event, is looking forward to seeing the work of the middle and high school student teams when they come to campus.
"This event has excellent potential for recruiting talented students in STEM areas and promoting University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä STEM programs," said Omaye. "And also a great time to recognize outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers."
The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to science education around the world. This rotating system gives kids a chance to visit new parts of the country, to tour colleges they might consider for their undergraduate studies, and provides a memorable experience to last a lifetime.
