Science Olympiad

Article in The Mountaineer

Science Olympiad
Bethel Elementary School

Science Olympiad is an organization that was established to retain students and promote learning and future jobs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students practice for specific events, such as “Weather Permitting” and “Rock Stars”, throughout the year and then compete in the spring. At the tourney, students’ events range from station events to bottle rockets.
This was the first year for a Science Olympiad team at BES. Students had to fill out an application and be chosen to be on the team. We practiced every Tuesday and Thursday until 4 p.m. and had several parents that helped us be coaches. Students came every practice excited to learn and did learn exponentially throughout the Science Olympiad season.

Bethel’s tournament this year was Saturday, April 18th at Owen High School. We won 2 third place, 3 second place, 14 first place and 2015 Buncombe Elementary Regional Varsity 1st place overall! Members of the team included 3rd-5th graders: Lucas Cody, Joshua Clark, Jackson Holland, Trey Arrington, Eli Ashe, Ansley Rhinehart, Christian Basulto, Nick Rhinehart, James Lee, Ainsley Kovak, Brock Sorrells, Stephen Brooks, Max Trull, Armand Basulto, Starling Inabnitt, Lettie Jo Watson, Gracyn Mills, Asjaya Sutton, Colby Adkins, Samantha Morgan, and Nikki Caminiti.

Coaches were: Glenna Rayburn (Head coach) and assistants, Amanda Watson, Traci Brooks, Kaitlyn Otey, Gina Rhinehart, Richard and Carol Ploch, Amy Holland, and Cammy Schreiber.