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Hard work, skill and dedication have helped the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Science Olympiad team to qualify for states in its first year competing in the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO). At its regional event, the ACHS team placed eighth, and was one of 24 teams to advance to the Virginia Science Olympiad State Competition, which will be held March 26, 2022 at the University of Virginia.
“The field is extremely competitive in our region,” said David Ly, ACHS science teacher and team coach. “Our team is entirely composed of students doing this for the first time when other teams have students that have been competing since they were in sixth grade.”
Science Olympiad is a nationally run competition in which teams of students from any high school compete in 20 science-related events. Some events have students building cars, parachutes and airplanes while others, like in the case of ACHS senior and team manager Sabine Mead, compete as a code buster. “The Science Olympiad helps you develop a broader understanding of what you have learned in class and apply it in practical situations,” said Mead.
Just like for any sport, training for the Science Olympiad competition starts early and can include studying with teachers and other students and building and testing devices such as bridges or cars created by students. Being part of the Science Olympiad helps participants to learn the value of teamwork and benefit from the experience of teammates who have competed multiple times.