By Jacob Balatico

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This year was a huge victory for MHS students who participated in the Science Olympiad.  Out of the 15 events that were done, MHS participants placed in 14 of them in the top three, including bringing home four gold medals.  This is the first time in two years that MHS students have placed in the Olympiad since Iolani has started competing.

MHS science teacher, Tyson Kikugawa is the adviser for the students that participated at Science Olympiad.  On his student’s achievements he said, “I was quite impressed.  This year was one of the most difficult contests.”  Students of the Science Olympiad advanced to nationals last year also.  Competition is at the best of the best.  Things are already being done to prepare the team for nationals.  “I think first of all, we need to find a way to fill the shoes of the seniors.  It is a team competition.  We need a strong team across the board,” said Kikugawa.  “I think we should keep doing what we are doing.  Keep studying and working hard.”

Science Olympiad is a competition that is held annually at Leeward Community College.  It consists of a variety of events that may range from physical to natural sciences.  The teams that participate in the events consist of two students.  Some of the events may be hands-on while the other events may require you to take tests.

Sophomore Vivian Fang and Senior Rachel Brewer participated as a team in the event Designer Genes.  Much training was done to prepare for the events.  “There are training handouts that we study,” stated Fang.

These events are not your average PowerPoint presentation or presentation board.  They are mostly hands-on activities, or tests.  Some events even required the building of tools or conducting experiments.  Students that participated in the Olympiad had hardship.  “A really big problem was the sheer amount of information each topic covered,” said Fang.  Time management definitely becomes an issue too.  Lack of time sometimes causes students to become disorganized. “I think just prioritizing the events (would help),” Brewer said.

Overall, the Science Olympiad was a positive experience for the students.  “I’m really excited for nationals,” Fang said.  Brewer said, “I’m so nervous for nationals.  There are so many teams competing.  Definitely nerve wrecking, (but) still fun.”

The teams of the Science Olympiad hope for the best and will perform their best at nationals, which will be held on May 17 in Dayton, Ohio at Wright University.