Science Olympics set for May 12

Posted by: Debbie Bowley on Tue, 10 April 2007 23:03:54

To promote science education for girls, Lauralton Hall has created Science Olympics for Girls. The theme for the event is “Science is FUN!”  It is the school’s hope that participants will enjoy themselves while applying the basic themes of science in a practical, experimental context.   

Studies are continually finding that girls have negative attitudes towards math and science, which translates into reduced involvement in these fields in high school, college and career choice. Although performing better than middle school boys, they participate less, have high levels of anxiety, and little confidence in their abilities. The time to solidify their interest in science is in middle school.

Science Olympics for Girls is held twice a year. The spring session is open to sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls and will take place on May 12, 2007, from 8:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Teams of no more than four girls will compete in events that focus on the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and Biology. Each event will last 30 minutes, with the final event being a multiple choice “All Science Challenge.” Each event is a task that the teams will perform to obtain a result or measurement. The challenges will require teamwork, planning and lateral thinking.  The teams are ordered based on the accuracy of their results and prizes will be awarded to the winning teams.

Program information and registration forms have been provided to sixth, seventh and eighth grade science teachers in area schools and the registration form can be accessed by clicking the link to the right. The registration deadline is May 1, 2007, and entries will be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis. For more information, please contact scavar@lauraltonhall.org.