Hundreds of students from more than 30 schools took part in the North Carolina Science Olympiad at UNC Charlotte this month.
From backyard biology to homemade rocket launches, 58 teams competed in various events.
“It’s an opportunity for them to take everything they’ve learned in school, apply it, and have fun doing it,” parent Samantha Hines said.
Student Jordan Walker’s favorite was called “Weather Permitting.”
“It’s really important to learn about the weather because it prepares you for natural disasters,” Walker said.
Event organizer Alisa Wickliff said learning the importance of science is what the event is all about.
“The kids, they have the great opportunity to work together as teams. They collaborate, they’re building, they’re thinking—it’s exciting,” Wickliff said. “It’s really their athletic event, if you will, for science, technology, engineering and math.”
Walker said he plans to use his science skills in the future.
“I would like to do something like this every year,” Walker said. “I think it’s very interesting, very fun, very creative, and I still get to test my abilities.”
