The annual Science Olympiad is approaching, and Cathedral students are preparing for the competition. The Science Olympiad, of which Cathedral has its own team, is a national organization that provides a platform for science competition at the middle and high school levels in many different areas.

From test rockets to thermodynamics, AP Chemistry, Chemistry, and Physics teacher Dr. Michaela Bertch said that the Science Olympiad offers “something for everyone.”

“It is a competition, and the rules are stringent. The rules were provided to our students in the fall, and they must be followed to the letter,” said Dr. Bertch.

90 students, forming 6 teams of 15, have been preparing to make anything from robots to helicopters since fall. Cathedral’s Olympiad teams are named after great scientists, such as Team Avogadro and Team Bohr.

Dr. Bertch said, “This is a great chance for students to learn about a variety of topics in science, to work as part of a team, to excel in an area of science outside the classroom and have fun doing it. It takes dedication and some serious study as well, so students should be prepared to make a commitment to that if they are interested, but the rewards include acquiring knowledge and experience while having fun being part of a team.”

The Science Olympiad will be held on Saturday, February 18th from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Del Norte High School. An awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., and parents and students are all welcome to attend.

For students interested in participating in next year’s competition, Dr. Bertch said, “We will be advertising in the fall of the next school year for interested students to attend a meeting – this is when students will be able to get on the interest list and choose which events they might be interested in participating in.”

With a final word of encouragement to CCHS students, Dr. Bertch said, “Students do not have to excel in science to participate. It helps, but enthusiasm is very important.”