The regional Elementary Science Olympiad marks its 10th anniversary this year. As leading employers in Chattanooga, Tennessee American Water and TVA support the Science Olympiad to positively impact the lives of our community’s children and prepare them for STEM careers.
The Olympiad will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the Omniplex at Chattanooga State followed by a lunch and an awards ceremony in the gymnasium. Media is invited to come at 10:30 a.m. for coverage of the various activities.
The program began 10 years ago when Chattanooga State, the Hamilton County Department of Education and Tennessee American Water identified the need to spark an interest in the sciences at an earlier age. The event has grown from 300 participants since its first year to over 600 students.
Chattanooga State, Tennessee American Water and TVA coordinate with the Hamilton County Department of Education to offer this competition for third, fourth, and fifth grades school children.
“STEM skills are in great demand and those jobs garner higher wages,” said Charley Spencer, TVA program manager. “Immersing these minds in real-world, competitive challenges can expose them to career opportunities they may not have considered otherwise. And let’s face it, the Olympiad is a fun way to get children excited about STEM.”
Over 30 volunteers from Chattanooga State, Tennessee American Water and TVA will oversee and judge the various events. Tennessee American Water is the sponsor of the luncheon and awards ceremony. TVA sponsors the school teams to help pay for supplies of make-ahead projects and other expenses.
“Tennessee American Water is a leading employer in the utility industry because of our team of engineers, chemists, and environmental specialists who succeed because of a strong base in math and science,” said Kevin Kruchinski, director of Operations for Tennessee American Water. “We are committed to supporting student STEM programs because the jobs of the future – in our company and in the communities we serve – depend on a workforce proficient in math and science.”
The Science Olympiad offers the participating students an opportunity to learn math and science by using hands-on fun experiments. Students can participate in activities like “Don’t Bug Me”, the ever-popular “Egg Drop” and “Hot!Hot!Hot” – to name a few of the over 20 topics to be offered.