Submitted by:
Paula Shevernoha |

On Thursday, June 2, 2016 the SVRSS Science Department held the first, of what we hope will be many future Science Olympics, in almost twenty years!


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Twelve teams of four SVRSS students participated in 4 very challenging events. Every event had a specific task, with limited supplies given and a pre-determined time allotment. A criteria score rubric was used to determine points awarded, and the team with the most points at the end of the day were crowned the winners.

The first event had participants construct a Paper Skeleton as close as possible to the scale of our model skeleton. Teams were scored on the correct number of bones, bone formation, positioning and appeal. At the end of fifty minutes, no skeleton was absolutely complete, but points were awarded based on what each team had completed.

Event number two was the Agriculture event. Students’ skill was put to the test in the areas of seed, soil, fertilizer, plant and GPS knowledge. Each team was required to complete a GPS course, collecting the correct items along the way, in order to plant a viable tomato plant. This event proved to be most challenging to our teams, as many aspects of the event were out of their element. Those who followed instructions precisely, were most successful.

The Thermal Mug challenge was our third event. The challenge was to create a Thermal To-Go Cup that had the best heat retention after twenty minutes. Participants demonstrated various versions of cups, and some were quite ingenious in their prototypes!

Our final event was the Cardboard Boat Race. This was the only event that teams had prior knowledge about, as planning how to build their boats was required. Teams were to build a boat using only cardboard and duct tape. The boat had to complete the race course in the pool, while holding two team members afloat. This was a great finale with many laughs, much team effort and excellent comradery by all participants!

We could not have done any of these activities without the help of our corporate activity sponsors! They were as follows:

Skeleton Challenge: Star & Times, University College of the North Nursing & SVRSS Electrical

The Great Tomato Plant: Sagert Farms, Ag More than Ever, Watt’s Ranch, Heather McKay, Mateika Farms & SVRSS Ag students

Whatever Floats Your Boat: Swan Valley Funeral Services, Pioneer, Cargill, New Era Ag, Westwood Inn – Frank, Carter, Laura & staff, Kaili Sauder & Kody Sauder

COMPETITION RESULTS:
1st Place BASF Chemical Company Winners: Team FRIEND-SHIP, made up of Austin Spencer, Brady Harris, Mason Kujanpaa & Carter Watkins

2nd Place Bayer Crop Science Winners: Team TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD, made up of Carter Chev, Brock Mullin, Megan Werbicki & Chase Ellingson

3rd Place Monsanto Winners: Team GOLD FISH, made up of Emma Hart, Sara Henkelman, Lexi Gray & Peyton Bardwell

Team Spirit Monsanto Awards for team attire went to the Proton Princesses (Julia Arp, Jessica Hack, Emily Simpson & Erica Forsyth) and to the Bandits (Kessa Oberlin, Maria Schneider, Rachel Negrave & Mercedes Quon)

Monsanto Citizenship Awards for going above and beyond during the competition went to Team TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD & Eric Colbert.

We also could not have had as successful of a day without the skill of our fantastic judges; David Madill and Janet White Riddell!

We look forward to many more Science Olympics to come!


SVRSS SCIENCE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: Paula Shevernoha, Tanya Staniland, Lana Sagert, Carol Larson & Cam Mateika