Chartiers Valley first grader Ivy Woods participated in her school’s annual Science and STEM Olympiad for first graders on March 26. One of the activities featured at the event was a gummy bear launch, where Ivy carefully lined up her catapult and aimed for the target’s bull’s-eye. The event consisted of 14 stations, all based on concepts learned in science or STEM classes throughout the year.

According to Ellen Zissis, the STEM teacher at Chartiers Valley Primary School, the Olympiad is a fun way for students to apply what they have learned and foster a love for science. The stations included a variety of activities such as a pentathlon with review questions, building a marshmallow tower, boat races, and designing a bridge to hold weights.

Ivy, along with her classmates Luke Thomas and Olivia Weber, enjoyed the day of hands-on learning and exploration. Ivy particularly liked the gummy bear launch, while Luke enjoyed building things with Play-Doh and Olivia found it cool to learn about science. Zissis emphasized that participating in a science Olympiad can help cultivate important skills and lay a foundation for future learning in STEM fields.

Overall, the Science and STEM Olympiad at Chartiers Valley Primary School provided first graders with a memorable day of engaging activities that sparked curiosity and excitement for science. Students like Ivy, Luke, and Olivia appreciated the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a fun and interactive way.