For the love of science

STANWOOD – The after-school scene in a pair of science rooms at Port Susan Middle School these days is a loud one.

Homemade musical instruments chime, eggs crack, balsa-wood bridges snap, a robot whirs – and all the medals around 19 proud teenagers’ necks clang as they work.

The Port Susan “red team” finished second at the April 16 state Science Olympiad tournament at Clark College in Vancouver, taking first place in five events.

Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald Port Susan Middle School students Briana Palmer (left), 14, and Chris Gilmore, 12, make sure that the weight on their balsa-wood bridge is straight during Science Olympiad practice Wednesday afternoon. The bridge, which was one of three tested, held 29.5 pounds before breaking. The science team will be going to a national competition in May.

The team now is headed to the National Science Olympiad tournament May 20 and 21 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

They are the only local team to reach nationals this year, and it’s a first for the school.

“I’m kind of anxious and nervous at the same time,” said Jessica Cook, 14, an eighth-grader. “Going to Chicago is a big thing. But competing against 50 other schools? That’s huge.”

Science Olympiad, a non-profit group based in Michigan, aims to boost student interest in science while improving science instruction. The group’s popular competitions bring science to life while emphasizing problem solving and teamwork.

There are dozens of timed events. The competition includes building balsa-wood bridges, answering questions about sound waves, acting like forensic scientists, and building robots that perform specific tasks.

Emily Brodin, 14, got involved because she enjoys science.

“I just like to see how everything works and works together in the world,” said the eighth-grader, who fashioned a flute out of a PVC pipe for a “Sounds of Music” event.

Ray Powers, 15, a ninth-grader at Stanwood High, quipped that he’s “a nerd and I have nothing better to do.” But the real reason is more pragmatic. “The sciences at school are boring. I go here and do this to get an extra challenge.”

Still others are involved for the social aspects.

“It’s a lot of fun. We get to travel places and hang out with friends,” said Michael McCune, 13, a seventh grader trying to find the best way to catch a dropping egg without making a yolky mess.

Students in grades seven to nine are involved with the team. And that means a lot to A.J. Brodin, 15, and Jimmy Besancon, 13, who are working together on the “Robo Billiards” event.

“I don’t think we ever would have met otherwise,” said Jimmy, a seventh grader, noting A.J. is in ninth grade at the high school.

The pair took last year’s robot and modified it, adding another receiver and antenna for a second set of remote controls.

A.J. works the metal arm of the robot that cradles and then slides billiards into metal coffee cans, while Jimmy works the wheels, salvaged from a Tonka toy.

“It doesn’t put so much strain on one person to control everything,” A.J. said.

The boys took first place in the event at the state level and hope that will increase their chances at nationals. Their best time so far is 1 minute 2 seconds.

Science teachers Ryan Ovenell and Kim Lawbaugh are the lead coaches, though other teachers and parents also volunteer.

Stanwood-Camano schools have long been a local Science Olympiad powerhouse.

Stanwood Middle School went to nationals six years in a row through 1998 and Stanwood High School also qualified six times, the last time in 2003.

No Washington school has ever won at the national level.

Only the top two teams at the state tournament advance to nationals. But even then, not all go, often because of the costs.

Though the tab is expected to top $12,000, that won’t be an issue for the Port Susan team.

The district will pay for rental cars, food and lodging for the trip, while the local nonprofit Patrons of Academic Learning and Sciences will cover airfare and fun activities.