Teacher candidates put secondary science students through their paces

Science Olympiad serves several purposes, organizer Paul Preney said Friday as teams from local high schools took part in the event.

“The competitors have fun, learn about teamwork and solve problems,” said Preney, a doctoral candidate in computer science and three-time UWIndsor grad (BSc 1996, MSc 2000, BEd 2006). “Plus they get to see a university campus and meet some of our students.”

The event sends participants racing from station to station across campus to complete problems in every branch of science, building on Ontario’s grade 11 and 12 science curriculum. Teacher candidates in the Faculty of Education develop the challenges and run activities.

The process proved educational for her, said education student Erica Berdan (BASc 2009), who designed an activity for the high schoolers to build a cantilevered bridge out of drinking straws and tape.

“It is really interesting to listen to their thought processes and ideas,” she said. “That’s the best part!”

Other stations included a trivia contest, the Medical Mix-up diagnostic challenge, and the assembly of an electronic resistor circuit. Professor Geri Salinitri credited the organizing committee of Natalie Azar, Danielle Baillargeon, Dana Pizzo, Mitch Tome and Rand Yacoub with doing a great job.

In the end, a team from Windsor's Holy Names Secondary School carried the day. Each member of the winning team: Anthony Ubah, Jacqueline Gemus, John Kelly, Jon O’Beid, Danielle Cooper and Christian Holmes received an offer of a $1,000 entrance scholarship to attend the University of Windsor, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, along with individual medals and a trophy.

Sonyta Ly

Sonyta Ly of Catholic Central High School completes an obstacle course.

Medical Mix-Up

Students from Sandwich Secondary School mull over the Medical Mix-Up puzzle during Science Olympiad, Friday in the Neal Education Building.

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