Zachary Staab
Assoc. News Editor

Riju Haque is preparing his “flying machine” creation for take-off with the supervisor of the helicopter competition.
Riju Haque is preparing his “flying machine” creation for take-off with the supervisor of the helicopter competition.

On April 6, Millersville University hosted the 6th annual Science Olympiad. The Science Olympiad is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to increasing student interest in science by providing recognition for achievements and improving the quality of science education. The event featured 44 schools competing in 23 events, such as the rotor egg drop, elastic launcher glider, and robot arm competition. The 43 schools, comprised of 14 middle schools and 29 high schools, were separated into two categories, division B for high school students and division C for middle school students. Each school was allowed to have 15 students represent their respective schools in the activities. The events held primarily in Pucillo Gym, Caputo, Roddy, and McComsey.

Representing Machanicsburg Middle School, Kaelan Nolen and Susanna Guithu repaired their flying machine after a crash landing in the helicopter competition.
Representing Machanicsburg Middle School, Kaelan Nolen and Susanna Guithu repaired their flying machine after a crash landing in the helicopter competition.

Jonathan Shue, a Chemistry major, Science Olympian, and judge of the elastic launch glider event, remarked that “the high level of integrity and creativity of the young students was impressive, The Olympiad is a great opportunity for young science enthusiasts to gain interest in the field through friendly competition, interaction with aspiring scientists, and friendly competition,” Shue said. The friendly competitions were scheduled in various rooms throughout the four facilities, with each event having a crew of supervisors and judges.

Riju Haque and Jason Gines presented their creation for the helicopter competition.
Riju Haque and Jason Gines presented their creation for the helicopter competition.

Candace Nusbaum, a Millersville graduate and coach for Central York High School, has been attending the Science Olympiad for 22 years. Before coming to Millersville, remarked Nusbaum, the Science Olympiad was held at Wilson, Juniata, Penn State, then Dickenson hosted the competition for a few years.
“Millersville is the best venue for the Science Olympiad and students may recal their experiences when choosing a college to attend,” said Nusbaum.

Millir Patfil, Jonathan Hong, Anish Shenoy and Kevin Pak proudly represented Cumberland Valley High School in Division C, they competed in all 23 of the competitions held during the Olympiad.
Millir Patfil, Jonathan Hong, Anish Shenoy and Kevin Pak proudly represented Cumberland Valley High School in Division C, they competed in all 23 of the competitions held during the Olympiad.

Jonathan Hong, a student from Cumberland Valley High School, was excited to return to Millersville after winning the helicopter competition two years ago. Hing said, “there is no greater way to express your love for science than at this event.” The program director, Dr. Schiza, Chemistry professor, was relieved that this years Science Olympiad, while hectic with only three directors, went by smoothly. This year, Schiza mentioned, “we only had two appeals,” the process that coaches go through to contest the outcome of an event.
The closing ceremony featured the awarding of 120 medals for outstanding achievement, plaques for the four highest point totals in each division, and trophies for the highest scoring teams. The awards ceremony was celebrated by the Millersville Marauder and Skully. Winners of the regional competition at Millersville will compete at the state and national levels.