Budding young scientists from throughout the region participated in the 41st Annual Stanislaus County Regional Science Olympiad on March 14 at Modesto Junior College.
Turlock High School took 4th place overall in the high school division, with five fist place finishes in Anatomy & Physiology, Boomilever, Machines, Material Science and Robot Tour.
More than 500 students representing area middle and high school students participated in the day-long event from the following schools: Blaker-Kinser, Cardozo, Hickman Charter, La Loma, Oakdale Charter, Oakdale, Our Lady of Fatima, Prescott, Roosevelt, Sacred Heart, and Ustach. Participating high schools include Beyer, Central Catholic, Davis, Don Pedro, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Johansen, Merced, Modesto, Modesto Christian, Oakdale, Oakdale Charter, Pitman, Riverbank and Turlock.
More than 125 science educators and community volunteers assisted with the competition.
The Regional Science Olympiad consists of individual and team events that encourage learning in biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, problem-solving, and technology. Some events require students to build devices before the competition, some require knowledge of
scientific facts and concepts, and others focus on science processes, skills, or applications.
This year’s state NorCal Science Olympiad is scheduled for April 4 at California State University, East Bay, in Hayward. The four overall winners for Division B (Junior High/Middle School) and the four overall winners for Division C (High School) — including Turlock High — will advance to the NorCal event.