Science Olympiad: Come One, Come All!
By Sophia Galante ’22
Anybody familiar with the Sem atmosphere knows it’s not too hard to figure out that the club and team community around campus is a big one. There are so many inclusive, exciting, and impressive clubs and teams at Sem, and it’s almost overwhelming. However, one of them, Science Olympiad, provides an amazing opportunity for anyone with the recent Science bug or anyone who just wants to try something new! The Science Olympiad captains and crucial members were able to tell The Opinator about the incredible the opportunities the club opens up and about what it takes to be a part of the team.
Nikolai Stefanov ‘19 is a renowned captain of the team and certainly agrees that the club is one of which to be a part. He talks about being captain and their upcoming role in the State competition: “Being a leader, I’m in charge of organizing everybody and making sure that not only are the events covered but [the students] are covered as well. Also, making sure people are paired in the categories they work well in and with each other.” He also talked about the fact that this is the first time in the team’s history that they are going to the State competition.
Julia Iskra ‘19 and Emily Urbanski ‘20, two enthusiastic members of the team, were also able to talk about the different sections of science they represent and the club’s hard work, as well. “This year, I’m in Dynamic Plants which is about glaciers, Geologic Mapping, Geology, and a building event where we have to build a cantilever structure, and it has to hold the most weight at the competition,” says Urbanski. Iskra, as well, loves the team and is an avid science student at Sem, who plans to continue her college studies with science by her side: “This year I did Anatomy and Physiology, which I ended up placing 4th overall. I also did Experimental Design and Forensic Science. The team aspect is really great, and when we found out we were going to states, you just couldn’t hear anything else in the gym; we were really excited.”
All three, of course, have the same ideas and advice for anyone hesitant or thinking about joining. “I honestly wish I had joined earlier because I really enjoy doing a lot of the things we do and doing all the different events and options to participate in,” Julia says. Nikolai and Emily have nothing but positive thoughts on it as well: “If you’re interested in pretty much any field of science, going to competitions and competing, and just testing your knowledge on a certain subject, you should try it because they really have events for any and every field of science you’re interested in, and it provides you with a fun way of learning about them and with them.”
The team is headed to States to compete and did very well with placing 6th overall at the Regional competition a little over a month ago. Whether a student wants to be a captain or just learn about science in unimaginable ways, Science Olympiad is the perfect opportunity to do so. Its fun, creative, and experimental atmosphere make sure that anybody and everybody can and should consider trying out. You won’t be disappointed. The Opinator wishes the team best of luck at states!