Science Olympiad
What is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad is one of the premier science competitions in the nation, which provides rigorous challenges to nearly 8,00 teams in all 50 states. According to the Science Olympiad website, "Science Olympiad is an international non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students prepare for during the year. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science concepts, process skills and science applications."
"Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal."
UPHS' Science Olympiad Legacy
Each year, UPHS students form teams (one, or more) to participate in this competition. UPHS' first Science Olympiad Team was in the 2011-2012 school year. We placed 5th and moved on to the Northern California (NorCal) competition. Every year since then, except for 2018, our team has placed in the top four and moved on to NorCal. UPHS has always fielded two teams. Team black consisted of upperclassmen and those with Science Olympiad experience. Our JV team, Team Purple, consisted of lower classmen and those who had never competed in Science Olympiad. Except for our first year, every team had up to 15 students.
The competition involves different events in various categories; these categories include: life, personal and social science, earth and space science, physical science and chemistry, technology and engineering, and inquiry and nature of science.