Community Corner
Fulton Science Academy Wins Big in Science Olympiad Tourney
FSA 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students won gold medals in 18 of the 23 events covering earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
In a record-breaking performance, Fulton Science Academy Private School Science Olympiad Teams took first, second, and third places at the Science Olympiad Middle School Regional Tournament held at the University of North Georgia Gainesville Campus on Saturday, February 15.
FSA 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students won gold medals in 18 of the 23 events covering earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The 41 team members won a total of 107 medals.
“Our students worked incredibly hard preparing for this tournament,” said head coaches Pam Walsh and Gloria Stathos. “We started in August. Each event meets at least an hour a week after school or on weekends and each student participates in three to six events. A lot of our parents help out as well, so it’s a big commitment for the entire family.”
The school now qualifies to send one team of fifteen students to the state tournament to be held March 22 at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta. “Under Science Olympiad rules, only one team from each school can advance to state,” explained Pam Walsh.
Events in which the school did particularly well include Boomilever (a balsa building/engineering event), Disease Detectives (epidemiology), Dynamic Planet (glaciers and climate change), Entomology (insects), Experimental Design, Helicopters, Road Scholar (map interpretation), Rotor Egg Drop (a balsa building/engineering event), and Sounds of Music (physics of sound and instrument construction)
The team will now focus on the finer details in preparing for the state tournament. “Our goal is to qualify for the National Tournament by placing first or second at state,” said Gloria Stathos. “Georgia has some really strong teams and every year the competition gets tougher.”
