Winning teams from each of the regional events will meet April 16 at the state tournament. | File photo
Winning teams from each of the regional events will meet April 16 at the state tournament. | File photo
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted a regional round of the Science Olympiad Saturday, gathering sixth- through 12th-grade students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for a day of competitive problem-solving.
The event at SIUE was one of nine regional tournaments being held around Illinois.
“No other program immerses students across all STEM fields on the same level,” Regional Director of Science Olympiad Mike Avara said. “Not only are science background and skills emphasized, but also the concept of teamwork and collaboration in research and problem-solving.”
This year's competition included new contest in food chemistry, game design, water chemistry, and alternative energy.
“SIUE is proud to host this event, because it is an excellent way to generate interest in STEM subjects,” Colin Wilson, the manager of SIUE’s STEM Resource Center, said. “The competition and team atmosphere provide a new angle for engaging youth in the essential areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The students interested in Science Olympiad are an enthusiastic population who can see the opportunities that institutions like SIUE provide.”
Winning teams from each of the regional events will meet April 16 at the state tournament at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
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