(COLUMBIA, Tenn. – March 20, 2019) - - -Columbia State Community College recently hosted a regional Science Olympiad competition for area middle school students. The competition’s top two overall winners were teams from Brentwood Middle School and Woodland Middle School. Both teams will advance to state competition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville April 7.

Students competed in a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields including: life, personal and social science, earth and space science, physical science and chemistry, technology and engineering, and inquiry and nature of science. Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology.

“With Science Olympiad being a nationally recognized program for students, it provides a wonderful venue for middle school students to achieve scientific goals outside of their regularly scheduled class curriculums,” said Andrew Wright, Columbia State interim dean of the Science, Technology and Mathematics Division. “Considering the employment need for STEM graduates, this event is a fun and engaging way for young minds to show off their intense preparation during the science-related competitions. Under the leadership of Dr. Leah Martin, Columbia State assistant professor of chemistry, and the exceptional support of Columbia State faculty and staff, the competition was invigorating and enjoyable for all.”

For more information about Science Olympiad, please visit www.soinc.org

Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is one of the premier science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based challenges to nearly 8,000 teams in all 50 states. Science Olympiad hosts 450 tournaments annually on college campuses, and holds professional development workshopsthat showcase innovative science, technology, engineering and math.