Muirlands Middle School is seeking scientists, engineers, industry leaders and parents to volunteer as coaches for the school’s Science Olympiad team, which will compete in a dedicated event at Rancho Bernardo High School on Feb. 7.
The coaching commitment is about an hour each week for approximately 15 weeks. Those interested in coaching the area’s future scientists and engineers should contact parent coordinator Laura Jackson at [email protected]. For more information, please visit sandi.net/muirlands; under “Students,” click Science Olympiad Club.
The Science Olympiad, founded in 1982, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of science education in grades kindergarten through 12, with teams of 15 competing in 23 science-related events. The competition is designed to increase male, female and minority interest in science, create a technologically literate workforce and provide recognition for outstanding achievement by students and teachers. Science Olympiad also attempts to promote partnerships among community, business, industry, government and education. At the San Diego regional competition in February, a delegation of dedicated Muirlands students stunned 107 teams by earning six medals and placing second in two events. Nearby Carmel Valley Middle School won first place in the local competition this year, taking first place in 10 events. San Diego hosts the largest Science Olympiad competition in the country, with 1,400 students participating in grades 5 through 8.
The culmination of more than 280 regional and state tournaments is the Science Olympiad National Tournament, held at a different university every year. The rotating system gives students a chance to visit new parts of the country and to tour colleges they might consider for their undergraduate studies.
This year’s national tilt will be held May 15 and 16 the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln. The 2014 event was held in May at the University of Central Florida.
For more information about Science Olympiad, visit sonic.org.