About 300 Killeen ISD third- through fifth-graders spent a rainy Saturday celebrating and competing in games designed to stimulate scientific inquiry and experimentation.
Killeen ISD’s 15th annual Elementary Science Olympiad, scattered across Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School, included teams representing 19 schools competing in 12 events with the support of 95 teacher coaches and 200 volunteers.
Skipcha Elementary School won the overall title, followed by Nolanville Elementary in second place and Clear Creek Elementary in third place. Saegert Elementary won the sportsmanship award.
Excited students moved through events ranging from a quiz bowl of scientific terms to building rolling can cars, designing protective coverings to support dropped eggs and identifying the contents of an owl’s digestive tract.
“Science matters,” is the simple reason that Olympiad Director Tara Hernandez gives for why the district continues to support the day-long event for elementary students.
“Science Olympiad gives students a chance to apply what they’ve learned in a meaningful and exciting way,” she said. “Science is about curiosity, problem solving, and understanding the world around us, and events like this allow students to showcase those skills.”
“The friendly competition encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and confidence as students challenge themselves and celebrate their learning.”
An excited Skipcha Elementary team took possession of the traveling trophy that includes the names of the winners from all the past years. This makes the fourth year Skipcha’s name will be etched on the trophy.
The team’s head coach, teacher Donna Holmes, praised her teams’ commitment to each other.
“I am just extremely proud of all of these students. They worked extremely proud and all of their hard work and dedication has paid off. They had fun, too and I think that is the most important part,” she said.
“I’m proud of their teamwork and communication and for cheering on the other teams and for cheering for each and every person.”
Fifth-grader Cash Beeman said teamwork and respect for one another were big parts of the team’s success.
“This is my first time to make the team,” he said. “This is amazing for us to have the gold medal. I thought we were starting to go down, then we started winning more. I am very happy for us to have the gold medal.”
Jayley Nixon, a fifth-grader, also a first-time Olympian, won two events.
“I’m really excited. It’s my first year making it into Science Olympiad,” she said. “I’m really happy I tried out. I think we all worked together and we practiced really hard and practice makes perfect.”
Teamwork, sportsmanship and collaboration are all part of the culture of the Science Olympiad, which brings together volunteers from across district departments and campuses, as well as high school students and bus drivers, custodians and security personnel.
The KISD Education Foundation provides major funding support and local donors contributed much of the food.
Science Olympiad photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/with/72177720332392740