After a three-year hiatus, the Elementary Science Olympiad has made a triumphant return at Chattanooga State. A staggering 270 students from third to fifth grade participated in an array of 24 STEM-related activities. Jameson Cavanagh and Brennan Yann, both fourth graders, collaborated on various challenges, including the egg drop, which they successfully completed without cracking their egg.
Different techniques were employed by competitors to safeguard their egg, such as using bubble wrap for protection. In-class activities like sky quest were the focal point of Samara Brigner and Lainey Stalans, who tested their knowledge of constellations. Megan Bragg, an associate professor of chemistry at Chattanooga State, was one of the organizers of the event. She underscored projects like ‘bridge-a-roni’ where pasta pieces were weighted to test their strength. Bragg stressed how STEM events like this can inspire students to delve deeper into math and science, paving the way for future career opportunities.
Bragg emphasized that exposing students to diverse subjects could help them discover their passions early on, potentially leading them to pursue careers in STEM fields in the future. Both participants, Yann and Cavanagh, concurred that the event was both fun and educational for them. They relished the hands-on activities and challenges that ignited their curiosity and interest in science and math.