Mat-Su students prepare for National Science Olympiad

MAT-SU - Where on earth do kids go to compete in events as varied as bridge building, propeller propulsion, water quality testing, 'Net surfing, trajectory, experimental design, useful plants, or forensic science?

The National Science Olympiad beginning Thursday in Chicago, that is where. And 16 students from Colony Middle School, after winning the state competition last month, are ready to test their knowledge against other youth around the country.

They will be competing in planetariums, aquariums and museums around the Windy City, testing their scientific knowledge and skills in a variety of areas.

One of the group's most hopeful teams is Barrianne Perkins and Britta Sonerholm. After winning the state competition in propeller propulsion, they are shooting to be one of the top 10 teams in the nation at keeping their balsa wood and tissue paper craft aloft, powered only by a rubber band. They built a new plane after the state competition that has been able to stay off the ground for two minutes and 10 seconds. If they can maintain that length of time in competition, it would rank them at the top.

Another quirky competition is "Mission Possible," in which students design a device to transfer different types of energy, such as electrical, mechanical, heat, and chemical, to pop two balloons. Natalie Beach and Sianna Garrod believe their device should stand up to the rigors of competition.

Luke Tegeler and Kerry Klauder have designed the Battery Buggy, which is required to run from two to 12 meters and stop where a judge tells them to, within one-tenth of a meter. The boys built tires with a half-meter circumference, and a switch that will turn the battery-powered motor off at the prescribed length of the run. The craft took nearly 10 hours to build, they estimate.

After 76 Colony students competed in the state competition at Chugiak High School, the 16 students who advanced to nationals have spent their lunch periods, and much of their free time, tweaking designs, completing last minute studying and figuring out how to back their delicate instruments and designs for the long journey to Chicago.

"These kids have worked really hard," said Colony science teacher Lura Hegg, who, along with teacher Joe Nolting, is coaching the teams. "They're so enthusiastic I know they'll do well in Chicago."

And after two days of competition, what tops their lists of things to do during their two free days in the Windy City?

Six Flags amusement park and shopping.

Students attending the competition are Luke Tegeler, Kerry Klauder, Ian Pierce, Lindsey Heiserman, Kyle Savage, Landon Swan, Heather Olson, Andy Harbour, Adam Berg, Maxwell Sumner, Britta Sonerholm, Barrianne Perkins, Keely Swanson, Kristi Keene, Natalie Beach and Sianna Garrod.

Photo: Andy Harbour displays a protozoa fossil he is studying so he can quickly identify fossil types at the National Science Olympiad this week in Chicago.

Photo by MELANIE BRUBAKER MAZUR.