Monday, February 29, 2016

Nearly 1,000 middle school and high school students from Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties will compete in the annual Wilmington Regional Science Olympiad on Saturday, March 5.

The free event is coordinated by The Center for Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CESTEM) in the Watson College of Education in collaboration with campus, business and community volunteers.

Throughout the day, approximately 70 student teams will launch bottle rockets, build gliders, analyze forensic evidence and identify fossils as they compete in 46 activities designed to enhance their knowledge of STEM. The majority of the day’s events and the closing awards ceremony will be held in Trask Coliseum. Other activities will be held in Bear, Dobo and DeLoach Halls and on Hoggard Lawn.

In addition, 46 possible scholarships totaling up to $23,000 will be awarded and medals and trophies will be presented to top student and team finishers. Top finishing schools will go on to compete for state honors in Raleigh April 22-23.

“Student participation and community support has grown significantly and the Wilmington Olympiad is now comparable to those held in the larger cities of Charlotte and Raleigh,” notes Dennis Kubasko, CESTEM Director and associate professor for secondary science education. “More than 150 volunteers, including UNCW faculty, staff and students, give their time, energy and expertise to engage our youth in STEM-infused experiences.”

--Caroline Cropp 

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