It’s amazing what can be made using random objects. In addition to Brockport High School’s Science Olympiad team designing, conducting, and reporting a full experiment in less than 45 minutes using trash, they built a rubber band-powered helicopter, a vehicle that rolls down a ramp, a thermodynamic device that keeps water warm using all natural materials, a car that levitates on magnets, and a tower that holds over 30 pounds.
Brockport’s team finished ninth out of 21 teams in the academic competition focusing on math, science, and technology standards held at The College at Brockport on February 4.
Over the last few months, Teacher Joe Flanagan has helped students prepare for the rigorous competition where they participated in 25 events. Students studied college level materials including protein modeling and did chemistry labs. Community volunteers Tom Lewis (Dynamic Planet and Rocks & Minerals) and Jim Detaar (Helicopters) also helped students along the way. Students received medals in the Protein Modeling, Geologic Mapping, Dynamic Planet, Helicopter and Write It Do It events and Marisa Allison and Tom Redick placed first in Rocks & Minerals.
“I am extremely fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of motivated students,” said Flanagan. “It says a lot about their character and drive when they give up free time to study college level material. Colleges notice when students put this type of activity on their applications. I’m very proud of everything they accomplished this year.”
