West Oahu Science Olympiads Bring Home Top Honors

Pearl City’s Highlands Intermediate School, which placed first at the 2015 Hawaii State Science Olympiad State Finals middle school division on Pi Day, will represent the state at the May 31 National Science Olympiad at University of Nebraska. Photo from HSSO.

Participants in the 2015 Hawaii State Science Olympiad State Finals came together Pi Day (March 14, 2015) at Leeward Community College.

More than 500 intermediate and high school students worked with team-mates and coaches to battle it out in hands-on events relating to categories such as social science; earth and space science; physical science and chemistry; technology and engineering; and inquiry and nature of science.

Highlands Intermediate School took first place in the middle school division and will represent Hawaii at the National Science Olympiad May 31 at University of Nebraska.

In addition, Marirose Daproza of Waipahu High School walked away with a teaching excellence award, while Pearl City High School took home a spirit award.

“Making science fun for future scientists is what Hawaii State Science Olympiad is all about,” stated HSSO executive director Jane Ferreira.. “Hands-on team events help to reinforce real-world science, technology, engineering and math concepts, and provide opportunities for Hawaii’s youths to be exposed to science at an early age, and ultimately, pursue STEM-related careers.”

For more information, visit hsso.org.