Manchester Teams Compete in Science Olympiad and Bring Home a Medal!

Although this was Manchester’s second year competing in Science Olympiad, it was the first year Manchester has competed with all the Washtenaw schools. On Saturday, May 30th, Washtenaw held the largest elementary Science Olympiad in the United States, with 38 schools and 2,500 students participating and Manchester not only participated but our 5th grade team brought home a medal!

Head Coach Lynn Miller, along with Event Supervisor Jill Noble, recruited several other coaches in January to work with interested kids. Manchester’s roster included: Chloe Majorprice, Bodi Foulke, Oliver Bushaw, Curtis Krause-Bean, Peter Cocco, Adyn Skowronski, Emma Taylor, Caleb Penney, Sadie White and Mya Enzer. Sadie White and Mya Enzer won 5th place medals in the astronomy category, Infinity and Beyond.

This season the teams’ topics included water rockets, mystery architecture, aerodynamics, potions, astronomy, and pasta bridges. These kids studied, trained and practiced after school and on weekends. “Coaches Kent Miller, Jeff White, Jill Noble, Holly Majorprice and Michelle Kahlenberg were proud and excited to see Manchester kids at such a large academic competition,” said Miller.

Miller also stated, “We want to congratulate all the kids for their hard work. Those of us who love, live and breathe science, want to pass our excitement on to the next generation. We will begin coach recruitment in the Fall. Please consider volunteering! There are many more teams we would love to see Manchester participate in. They range from birding, electricity, maps, to plants. Encourage any elementary kids you know to join.”

Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) was founded in 2002. It encourages and promotes a love of science to kids in grades 2-5. They learn teamwork and sportsmanship along with hands-on interaction in a variety of scientific areas. This all culminates in an academic competition which is fun and challenging.

Photos courtesy of Lynn Miller, Michelle Kahlenberg, Jill Noble, and Holly Majorprice.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.