STEM Expo, egg drop kick off Science Olympiad

· 4 min read

STEM Expo, egg drop kick off Science Olympiad

Savanna McDonald (left), a senior physics major from Omaha, shows Science Olympiad competitors from Florida how a gyroscope works during the STEM Expo in Jorgensen Hall on May 15.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Savanna McDonald (left), a senior physics major from Omaha, shows Science Olympiad competitors from Florida how a gyroscope works during the STEM Expo in Jorgensen Hall on May 15.

The opening day of the 31st annual Science Olympiad National Tournament was a smashing good time — especially for sumo bot and egg drop contestants.

Hosted by UNL May 14-16, the three-day event included more than 2,000 middle- and high-school students from across the nation competing in categories ranging from earth science and chemistry to physics and engineering. The national tourney, which is held at a different university each year, is the culmination of regional and state tournaments.

After arriving on campus on May 14, teams participated in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Expo in Jorgensen Hall on May 15. The expo included the sumo bot competition, tours of UNL facilities (including the Voetle-Keegan Nano Center and the Diocles Extreme Light Laboratory), hands-on science experiments, and booths representing UNL colleges and event sponsors.

Jon Velasco, a graduate student in chemistry, spent most of the event guiding science Olympians through an experiment that gauged levels of vitamin C in various drinks.

“All of these kids are amazing,” Velasco said. “They are engaged and excited about science. They want to know more and ask great questions.

“Hosting the Science Olympiad is a great opportunity for UNL.”

In another Jorgensen Hall room, student-controlled sumo bots clashed for superiority inside a tape ring. The competition — which features robots built by the students — is won by pushing an opposing sumo bot outside of the ring.

Students crowded around a window to watch as teams from Connecticut and Oklahoma advanced to the finals.

Prior to the opening ceremonies on the evening of May 15, Omaha-area science students worked with local officials to build protective cages for an egg drop competition at the Devaney Sports Center.

Armed with bubble wrap, cotton batting, foam padding and tape, the four teams spent 20 minutes building the protective cages. The designs were then dropped from a height of about 20 feet. Points were awarded for the amount of weight added to the egg, the distance the cage landed from the target and if the egg survived the drop.

The team that included Britney Brown, Husker women’s basketball assistant coach; David Brown, president of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce; and students Jacob Carter and Alex Plowman won the competition.

Other executive team members included: Tim Gay, UNL physics professor, and Pete Ricketts, Nebraska governor; Chris Beutler, Lincoln mayor, and Tracy Wolf-Freeouf, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Archie Clutter, dean of UNL’s Agricultural Research Division, and Walter Powell, TeamMates mentoring program.

The Science Olympiad concluded May 16 with a day of science competitions. Events included “The Wright Stuff,” where students build flying machines; “Storm the Castle,” involving catapults used to destroy castle wall props; and a competition to build Rube Goldberg-like contraptions.

The event awarded 47 gold medals. Each student who earned gold was offered a full scholarship to attend UNL. Out-of-state students winning gold qualify to receive a George Beadle Scholarship, worth $13,500 per year for four years at UNL. Nebraska students claiming a top award can receive free tuition for 120 credit hours, which is equal to a bachelor’s degree.

Other prizes — including cash, tours of science facilities around the United States, medals and trophies — were also awarded.

Jon Velasco (left), a graduate student in chemistry, guides Science Olympiad participants through an experiment that measures vitamin C in various drinks.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Jon Velasco (left), a graduate student in chemistry, guides Science Olympiad participants through an experiment that measures vitamin C in various drinks.
Sumo bot teams from (left) Oklahoma and Connecticut battle inside a Jorgensen Hall laboratory. The event is won by pushing an opposing robot out of the marked ring.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Sumo bot teams from (left) Oklahoma and Connecticut battle inside a Jorgensen Hall laboratory. The event is won by pushing an opposing robot out of the marked ring.
Students gather outside a Jorgensen Hall window to watch the Science Olympiad's sumo bots competition. The event pits robots designed by students against one another.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Students gather outside a Jorgensen Hall window to watch the Science Olympiad's sumo bots competition. The event pits robots designed by students against one another.
UNL's Tim Gay, professor of physics, works with Omaha-area science students during the build portion of the May 15 egg drop competition. Organized by UNL, the egg drop was part of the 2015 Science Olympiad National Tournament.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
UNL's Tim Gay, professor of physics, works with Omaha-area science students during the build portion of the May 15 egg drop competition. The team also included Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts. Organized by UNL, the egg drop was part of the 2015 Science Olympiad National Tournament.
More than 2,000 Science Olympiad students flooded into the Devaney Sports Center to watch the egg drop competition held May 15.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
More than 2,000 Science Olympiad students flooded into the Devaney Sports Center to watch the egg drop competition held May 15.
The winning entry drops to a target below during the Science Olympiad egg drop competition. The event was held prior to the Science Olympiad opening ceremonies.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
The winning entry drops to a target below during the Science Olympiad egg drop competition. The event was held prior to the Science Olympiad opening ceremonies.

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