Klager’s Science Olympiad Teams compete in Washtenaw tournament

Kaitlyn Finnegan and Teagan Clark with their 3rd place medals. Kaitlyn was on both of the teams that medaled in the tournament. Photo courtesy of Manchester’s Science Olympiad Head Coach, Tessa Gallinat.

On May 12th, Manchester’s Klager Elementary School students, along with thousands of other students from around the county participated in Washtenaw’s Science Olympiad Tournament in Ann Arbor at Pioneer High School. This year two of Manchester third grade teams placed and three other teams received honorable mentions!

Manchester fielded ten teams total in three categories, “Mystery Architecture,” “On Target,” and “Pasta Bridges.” In Mystery Architecture, each team was given a bag of materials to build a structure that can support a ball. The tallest structure wins. The On Target teams had to build missiles, utilizing provided materials including a precision straw as the missile body. The accuracy of the missiles launched indoors at a fixed target was tested. And the Pasta Bridges teams had to build a bridge using the provided dried pasta and clay to support a cup in the middle of the bridge with as many small weights as possible.

The team rosters were as follows:

Mystery Architecture, Grade 2: Macie Felczak and Caroline Mason

On Target, Grade 2: Lincoln Martin

Pasta Bridges, Grade 2: Parker Westcott and Benjamin Feldkamp – received honorable mention

Mystery Architecture, Grade 3: Alyssa Ulicne, Kaitlyn Finnegan, and Memphis Felczak (alternate) – 3rd Place

On Target, Grade 3: Tucker Jones

Pasta Bridges, Grade 3: Kaitlyn Finnegan, Teagan Clark, and David Depp (alternate) – 3rd Place

Mystery Architecture, Grade 4: Carl Casey and Landon Clark

On Target, Grade 4: Carl Casey, Rosary Salamin, and Emerson Martin – received honorable mention

Mystery Archtiecture, Grade 5: Carter Gallinat and William Alvarez

On Target, Grade 5: Carter Gallinat, William Alvarez, and Annabelle Celkis – received honorable mention

Photos courtesy of Head Coach Tessa Gallinat.

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by Sara Swanson

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