Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is playing a vital role in preparing the nation’s future professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Some of the brightest and most promising young scientific minds recently met for an intense competition on STC’s Pecan Campus, competing in the 18th Annual Regional Science Olympiad, which hosted more than 400 students and 17 events for future STEM professionals.
Hosted by STC’s Physical Science Department, the event is a way to provide recognition of outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers from all 50 states competing at the regional, state and national level.
The Olympiad consists of interscholastic competitions for students in grades 6-12 centered around events in STEM.
Ludivina Avila, Ph.D., STC Chemistry faculty and coordinator of the regional Olympiad event said she can relate to those students participating and recalls competing in chemistry events at Texas A&M-Kingsville while in school which inspired her future career.
Avila manages the RGV portion of the Olympiad, which includes academic events like Anatomy Physiology to hands-on experiments like Trajectory and Flight where students build and fly homemade aircraft, or the Tower event which tests a team’s ability to build an efficient but strong structure.
“These are our future STEM professionals, and I remember when I competed while in school and it made a huge impact in my life. I know this does the same for these kids,” Avila said. “It’s all about teamwork, dedication and just enthusiasm to continue in STEM because we need professionals in this field especially young women. It’s nice to see those little girls compete here and that they’re interested in some of the engineering events as well.”
Alexis Rodriguez, 14, from Fossum Middle School in McAllen, said her favorite event of the day was Experimental Design which had a science-fair type feel.
“It was like making a science fair project in 30 minutes and you had to write down all the problems and questions with materials to form the experience,” Rodriguez said. “I have always loved science since I was younger, and I think I’m good at it. I hope to use it to get into an engineering career one day.”
Events are mostly hands-on, and new to this year’s competition were Wind Power, Geologic Mapping, Microbe Mission and Robot Tour events.
“I am so amazed with everyone’s participation. With a little over two years as president, this is my second Science Olympiad. We are a large system with six campuses across the Valley and we are always so excited to continue emphasizing the importance of education, especially STEM education,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., who was in attendance for the award ceremony with students. “You all are clearly the future scientists of this nation. With our college focusing in many areas of science and health care, the opportunities are endless. Your participation today already shows your commitment to STEM and you’ve clearly made the most of your time here at STC.”
Michael Garcia, who is the head coach for the Olympiad team from Alamo Heights ISD near San Antonio, and whose middle school division earned a first and third place ranking at this regional event, said while it was his second year as a coach participating, both of the district’s high school and middle school teams have been competing at the Olympiad at STC for more than a decade.
“All students here have reacted so positively to the competition and challenges of the events they have chosen to participate in. I think one of the best parts of Science Olympiad is that our students are applying what they are learning in class into real-world situations and problems and being tested on these concepts. And the most important thing they get out of this also, is teamwork and collaboration,” Garcia said. “We have had very positive experiences at South Texas College and it is always a pleasure to come here because everyone is always so friendly without it being overwhelming like at other large institutions. We always feel like this is our home away from home when we get here.”
Lamar Academy, an International Baccalaureate campus with McAllen ISD, also took first place in the high school division.
Both first-place teams have advanced to the state tournament for the Science Olympiad that takes place April 19-20 at Texas A&M College Station.
At the state competition, both teams will have a chance to advance to Michigan State University, which will host the 2024 Science Olympiad National Tournament on May 24-25.
“Science Olympiad is fun. It’s work – it’s hard, but in the end, it’s really exciting to have the opportunity to travel and spend time with my friends,” said Jimmy Puchalski, 13, from Alamo Heights Middle School and part of the winning middle school team at the Olympiad, who personally placed first in the Flight and Trajectory events. “We get to learn and build cool things like airplanes, air cannons, roller coasters and wheeled vehicles. We all learn more about science while doing projects we don’t always have the opportunity to do in school.”
For more information about the Science Olympiad or to see future events visit txscienceolympiad.tamu.edu/.
