The Elementary Science Olympiad has made a comeback after a three-year hiatus. At Chattanooga State, 270 students ranging from third to fifth grade participated in 24 STEM-related activities. Jameson Cavanagh and Brennan Yann, fourth graders, teamed up for various challenges, including the egg drop, which they completed successfully without breaking their egg.
Different techniques were employed by competitors to protect their eggs. Some used bubble wrap, while others utilized other materials. Samara Brigner and Lainey Stalans focused on in-class activities like sky quest, testing their knowledge of constellations. Megan Bragg, an associate professor of chemistry at Chattanooga State, was one of the organizers of the event. She highlighted projects such as ‘bridge-a-roni’ where pasta pieces were weighted to test their strength.
Bragg emphasized how STEM events like this can help students explore math and science further and create future career opportunities. Exposing students to different subjects can help them discover their interests early on and potentially lead them to pursue careers in STEM fields in the future. Both participants expressed how fun and educational the event was for them. They enjoyed the hands-on activities and challenges that sparked their curiosity and interest in science and math.