On March 12, 2010, Golden West College hosted its 11th annual Science Olympiad Tournament. 280 students from 20 Orange County high schools competed in academic events balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology.
Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students prepare for during the year. This event elevates science education to a level of enthusiasm that is normally reserved only for sports programs.
The all-day competition concluded with a ceremony where individuals and teams were awarded medals, ribbons, and trophies for their achievements.
The top 6 high schools earned the opportunity to compete at the Southern California state competition: Troy HS, Northwood HS, Canyon HS, Irvine HS, Valencia HS, and University HS. The winners in the So Cal contest will move on to the Science Olympiad National Tournament hosted this year by the University of Illinois May 20 – 22.
For the past 26 years, Science Olympiad has led a revolution in science education. What began as a grassroots assembly of science teachers is now one of the premiere science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based challenges to more than 5,700 teams in 48 states. Science Olympiad’s ever-changing event lineup provides a variety of career choices and exposure to practicing scientists and mentors. In the words of a Science Olympiad alumnus: “I consider Science Olympiad the most important and influential activity I participated in during my middle school and high school career.”
The director of Science Olympiad at Golden West College is Dr. Carol Grimes, Professor of Chemistry. To contact her, address email to cgrimes@gwc.cccd.edu.
