Henderson plans Science Olympics in April

Henderson plans Science Olympics in April

Henderson State University’s Society of Physics Students chapter has been awarded $497 from the American Institute of Physics (AIP) to host a Science Olympics event on campus April 9.

The chapter will partner with the biology and chemistry clubs to provide high school students in grades 9-12 a fun and educational one-day experience, said Dr. Shannon Clardy, associate professor of physics.

“We want to encourage these students to pursue study in the sciences since they are on the verge of starting college and deciding majors,” she said. “We will be approaching high schools in the surrounding areas about participating. Each school can have multiple teams consisting of 4-8 members each.”

The event will include a variety of competitive activities for school teams to choose from. In the area of physics, one event will feature building a tower with toothpicks that will support 200 grams of mass at the highest point.

Other activities include an egg drop, tree and plant scavenger hunt, and a sodium/potassium pump.

The Science Olympics at Henderson was one of only 13 projects awarded nationwide by the AIP, Clardy said.

For more information about the event, contact Clardy at clardys@hsu.edu.