STEM-Savvy Students Have the "Right Stuff" at Illinois Science Olympiad 2011

Two ISO 2011 contestants wait to launch their rockets, sheltered by an umbrella.

Despite the wet and blustery, more-like-early-March-than-mid-April weather conditions, STEM-savvy middle and high school students from all over the state braved the elements to participate in the 2011 edition of Illinois Science Olympiad, which took place on the Illinois campus on April 16th. Strutting their "science stuff," these young people with the potential to become some of America's scientists of the future exhibited their knowlege and expertise as they participated in a wide range of events.

ISO competitors engaged in disciplines ranging from engineering (such as Experimental Design, Tow-Line Glider) and chemistry (Can't Judge a Powder, Science Crime Busters, to name a few), biology (Anatomy), earth science (Ecology), and astronomy (Meteorology), to areas not usually considered to be run-of-the-mill science disciplines: musical instrument design (Sounds of Music) and cartography (Road Scholar).

Two ISO 2011 contestants pose with their glider.

To spectators at Saturday's competition (for instance, anyone without a scientific bone in his or her body, such as this author), it was apparent that these youngsters not only had the right stuff, but knew their stuff. In an early-morning trip to the Armory, two young ladies (see image to the right) were performing a test flight for the tow-line glider they had constructed. While one girl held the glider, her partner pulled on the tow-line, much as one would on a kite. The glider ascended to probably 50 feet in the air; then, as if by magic, the tow-line dropped off, and the glider floated gracefully for an incredibly long time, circling, then finally landed a few yards from me. To design this glider, these girls definitely must have had a firm grasp of the laws of physics. Given the length of time their project glided,not only do I think they had a good shot at winning, but I expect that at some future date, I'll be gazing into a cloudy blue sky only to see a new type of plane soar and vanish out of sight—designed by them, of course.

Two ISO contestants with their project.

While events were educational and jam-packed with discipline-specific scientific principles, they were also designed to be fun for the students. For example, in the image to the left taken around 7:30 am on Saturday, two ISO contestants are getting their project ready for an event called "Mousetrap Vehicle." And yes, having examined their vehicle carefully, I can verify that it contained two mousetraps (the ones with the yellow plastic holder for the cheese). Another event that I imagine students found to be not only challenging, but fun, was "Helicopters." Early Saturday morning in the Armory, I saw one participant flying his "helicopter," marveling that someone that young could not only build the thing, but that it was flying! Amazing!

Two ISO contestants wait to launch their rockets.

Had the weather not been so dreadful, this reporter definitely would have spent more time at the "Bottle Rocket" event. Complete with a loud pop, a billow of smoke, and a loud cheer as each rocket launched, followed by onlookers' heads craning to see how high the rocket had gone then swiveling to see where it would land, this event had it all. Had the weather been more obliging, this event would probably have drawn quite a few more spectators. In the photo to the right, two students, with their two rockets, wait for their turn to launch. With youngsters like these waiting in the wings, maybe there's a chance America will get back to the moon after all.

Two ISO contestancts hard at work in Illinois lab.

Not all events involved engineering and physics. ISO held numerous chemistry events, like "Chemistry Lab," "Disease Detectives," and "Can't Judge a Powder," to name a few. In the picture to the left, two ISO participants, complete with protective lab coats and goggles, are at one of Illinois' many laboratories, using their chemistry skills to compete in the "Science Crime Busters" event.

Two ISOcontestants waiting to compete in "Sounds of Music" rehearse their musical pieces.

As a musician, I found the "Sounds of Music" event fascinating. Contestants were required to build two instruments, a wind instrument and a percussion instrument based on a 12-tone tempered scale. The instrument in the image to the right appeared to be a xylophone of sorts created from blocks of wood and pipes. These two gentlemen, who were waiting to play for the judges, obligingly played their two pieces for me: a classical piece and an American folk tune. When I asked the young man at the "xylophone" how long it had taken him to build, he replied, "A long time." I imagine it did. I regret not asking about the science behind the instruments. I expect these students, who were muscians, had to apply not only science but also some mathematics in order to determine the mass of the wood and the length of pipe necessary to produce a certain pitch tone. By the way, their musical pieces were beautiful.

Two ISO contestants during the "Fossils" event.

Two ISO contestants ouside BIF (the Business Instructional Facility) on campus.

Not only did students express their individuality during the events, but did so in their dress as well. Teams donned face paint, unique t-shirts, and other unique items, such as the two students to the left who were competing in the "Fossils" event and the two to the right outside BIF.

Two ISO contestants competing during the "Geocaching" event.

The "Geocaching" event involved a kind of treasure hunt, using GPS navigation (see image to the right). I trailed these brave and hardy souls just long enough to get a few good shots, then quickly headed indoors.

Illinois Science Olympiad (ISO) is a science competition designed to get Illinois middle school and high school students interested in and excited about science. A hands-on event, ISO holds competitions which emphasize biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics using engineering and technology to combine several of these disciplines. ISO holds eight regional competitions throughout the state; winners of the local regional events then compete in the state tournament. The top two state teams in each division are then chosen to advance to the Science Olympiad National Tournament competition, which, in 2011, will be held on May 20–21.