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June 2008
GW Hosts Science Olympiad National Tournament
Nearly 2,000 Students from 46 States Compete in 56 Events By Julia Parmley What do food science, electric vehicles, rocks and minerals, music, and oceanography have in common? All were among the categories of competition in the 2008 Science Olympiad National Tournament, held at GW May 30-31, and primarily sponsored by DuPont, the Science Olympiad National Office, and GW. The competition drew some 5,000 attendees, including more than 2,000 of the best and brightest middle and high school science students from across the country to GW’s Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. The 120 participating teams from 46 states conducted experiments or were quizzed in various areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through identification exercises and demonstrations. The teams also designed and built robots, vehicles, towers, musical instruments, and aerodynamic devices. Hosted by a university each year, the Science Olympiad National Tournament is one of the country’s premier science competitions. To qualify for the contest, teams must win their state Science Olympiad tournaments. This was the first year a team from Hawaii participated in the national competition. “The 24th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament at The George Washington University was an outstanding success,” says President and Co-Founder of the National Science Olympiad Gerard Putz. “Not only were the facilities top of the line but every event associated with the tournament showed the students from around the country that there are few finer institutions than GW.” The weekend began Friday, May 30, when participants tested their motor skills in a DuPont NASCAR Driving Simulator, observed a Lockheed Martin Flying Simulator, visited GW exhibits on chemistry, computer science, and engineering, among others, and enjoyed a Kick-off BBQ Dinner on the University Yard before filling the Charles E. Smith Center for a lively and colorful opening ceremony. Professor of Media and Public Affairs and Emmy Award-winning journalist Frank Sesno served as master of ceremonies and introduced each of the teams as student representatives paraded in with their school flags. Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for DuPont Linda Fisher, M.B.A. ’78; Putz; and Tournament Director Kathy Melvin welcomed participants. In his opening ceremony address, President Steven Knapp announced that GW will offer a $5,000 annual merit scholarship to any of the official competitors accepted to the University. GW also will waive the application fee for these students. “This is an exciting time to be a scientist. New fields of discovery are emerging at an unprecedented pace,” Knapp told the audience. Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr., director of pediatric neurosurgery and professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, delivered an inspirational keynote address entitled “Think Big.” Carson received three standing ovations for his speech about his challenging journey to become one of the nation’s foremost neurosurgeons. “Not everything we do is a success, especially in the scientific field,” said Carson. “The key is to learn from the things which do not work out. If you can learn from your mistakes, then all is not lost.” The formal event competitions began at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 31. Teams crafted mechanical devices to transport a raw egg along a track, constructed balloon gliders, used science to identify the perpetrators of a crime, and designed, built, and played musical instruments. A Saturday evening awards ceremony in the Charles E. Smith Center to honor the winning individuals and teams capped the weekend’s activities. Solon Middle School of Ohio and Troy High School of California were named the first place tournament winners. All Saints Catholic School of Kansas and Menomonie High School of Wisconsin received Science Olympiad Spirit Awards for demonstrating a positive attitude, exemplifying teamwork, respecting the rules and their fellow competitors, and exhibiting sportsmanlike conduct. Each team was presented with a trophy and $2,000 from Lockheed Martin Foundation to further the school’s Science Olympiad program. Approximately 4,100 students, coaches, family members, and volunteers attended both the opening and awards ceremonies in the Charles E. Smith Center. Another 700 watched from overflow viewing sites on campus and some 7,800 viewed the two live Web casts. “As high as our expectations were for the tournament, they were exceeded in every way,” says GW Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen Frederic Siegel, who led the effort to bring the tournament to the University. “The enthusiasm of our guests, the satisfaction expressed by the national leadership of the Science Olympiad, and the excitement of our own University community combined to enhance GW’s reputation as a science/ research center and as one of the most exciting universities in the world. I cannot thank my colleagues at GW enough for supporting the national tournament so well.” Student competitors also gave the tournament high marks. This year’s competition was the third for eighth grader Taylor Stewart, who traveled to GW from Wasilla, Alaska, with the Teeland Middle School team. They toured Washington, D.C., before and after the tournament and were especially excited to ride the Metro, which Stewart says was “really cool.” Stewart, who competed in the tournament’s Rocks and Minerals, Science Crimebusters, and Tower Building events, says her team has been preparing since the fall for the competition. “I’m really excited,” says Stewart. “The tournament is so much fun.” The 2008 National Tournament Core Committee members included Siegel; Robert Snyder, GW senior advisor to the dean of freshmen and managing director of Mount Vernon Campus Life and Marketing; Chris M. Kormis, GW assistant vice president for university relations; Ed Caress, GW professor emeritus; Anna Wyhs, GW graduate apprentice for the office of the associate vice president and dean of freshmen; Kathy Melvin, tournament director; Scott VanBenschoten, tournament deputy director; Jack Cairns, Science Olympiad co-founder; and Phyllis Buchanan and Peggy Vavalla from DuPont. For a complete list of winners and a photo gallery, visit scienceolympiad.gwu.edu.
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