It's all STEM and Games

Science is Fun, at least it should be if you are doing it right. That has been our approach for 2019, celebrating the fun in STEM. Over the years, we received feedback that we could do more to make the State tournament opening ceremony more fun.

As a result, NCSO made a few changes to this year's tournament. First, we added a competition for the Parade of Champions, winners received a prize pack. Second, we expanded the STEM Expo to include more partners and a scavenger hunt to increase student engagement. As a result, TEN attendees went home with prizes. Lastly, we held a competition on the floor of Reynolds after opening ceremonies. Teams competed head-to-head in physical, logic-based, and goofy challenges for glory and prizes, of course.

These changes are a first step in improving the overall State Tournament experience for teams and a commitment to keep NC Science Olympiad fun!

STATES GIVE STUDENTS MUCH DESERVED SHINE TIME

DIVISION B

1. Piedmont IB Middle School

2. Wilmington Academy of Arts & Sciences

3. Jay M. Robinson Middle School

4. Fred J. Carnage Magnet Middle School

5. Davis Drive Middle School

6. Smith Middle School

7. The Academy at Lincoln

8. Mills Park Middle School

9. West Cary Middle School

10. Randolph Middle School

DIVISION C

1. NC School of Science & Math

2. William G. Enloe High School

3. Raleigh Charter High School

4. North Mecklenburg High School

5. East Chapel Hill High School

6. John T. Hoggard High School

7. Ardrey Kell High School

8. Chapel Hill High School

9. Panther Creek High School

10. Isaac Bear Early College High School

Ashwin Ghadiyaram accepts the Volunteer of the Year Award from NCSO Executive Director Kim Gervase

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Longtime volunteer and former North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO) competitor, Ashwin Ghadiyaram, was recognized for his many contributions at the 2019 State Tournament. Ashwin competed in NCSO throughout middle and high school. Most notably, he served as Team Captain for the NC School of Science and Math's team during the 2015 season. That year, his team made it to the National Tournament in Lincoln, Nebraska.

After graduating high school, Ashwin continued his involvement with NCSO. For the past four years, he has served as Head Alumni Ambassador, State Event Supervisor for Anatomy & Physiology (both Divisions B & C), National Committee Member, and National Event Leader for Anatomy and Physiology (Division B). Ashwin has also pitched in wherever he was needed from cleaning up after tournaments to handing out medals.

So, how does it feel to be recognized for all of his hard work? "It means a lot. Years ago, as a competitor, my goal was to always put my team of 18 students in the best possible position to perform well," remarked Ashwin. "Today, I get the chance to help not 18, but hundreds of students throughout North Carolina and this has been by far one of the most meaningful life experiences I've ever had."

Congratulations Ashwin! On behalf of the North Carolina Science Olympiad community, we are truly grateful and honored by Ashwin's eleven-year commitment to NCSO.

NEW HAPPENINGS

NCSO App

NCSO has finally gone mobile! The 2019 State Tournament entered the 21st century with the debut of the new NCSO mobile app. Participants, parents, coaches, and observers could access all tournament information from their mobile devices. The app allowed NCSO to provide a direct line of communication with users, allowing for real time updates and communication. The app included a feedback survey which will be used to make improvements for next year!

#NCSciOly19

Many NCSO teams love to share their tournament experience on social media. This year, we wanted to help build on that experience by providing hashtag printers. Anyone using #NCSciOly19 on social media platforms automatically had their photo printed in the Reynolds Lobby with the official 2019 State Tournament logo. The printer was one of the most popular items this year with parents, students, and coaches lining up to snag their photo. The printer will be returning next year for both the State and National Tournaments.

Speed Mentoring

How do you go from a Science Olympiad competitor to a fullfledged leader in STEM? Ask an expert of course! At this year's tournament NCSO partnered with STEM in the Park to provide competitors with one-on-one mentoring with STEM professionals. Speed mentoring provided competitors with a series of short, focused conversations about specific career and education questions related to all things STEM.

NEVER HOME ALONE

Dr. Rob Dunn, this year's Keynote Speaker, presented the findings of the NCSO Ant Picnic project at Friday's Opening Ceremony. The project encouraged Science Olympiad participants to search for new game-changing species of fungi by participating in a fun, hands-on science investigation. Students across North Carolina were asked to collect ants by hosting a picnic for them.

Why ants? Well, it turns out ants naturally collect microbes on their legs. With teams participating from the mountains to the coast, this enabled exponentially more data to be collected in the team-effort approach of Citizen Science. Dr. Dunn revealed that seven lipases had been identified from the ants students collected. His team at NC State will continue to study the lipases to see if they will have any future benefit to his research.

Dr. Dunn also discussed his recent book, Never Home Alone, which focuses on, "a natural history of the wilderness in our homes, from the microbes in our showers to the crickets in our basements." His presentation focused on the importance of microbes living in our homes and how they benefit our daily life. He also stressed the importance of science education and the significant role Science Olympiad plays in preparing the next generation of scientists. Science Olympiad participants today will soon be tackling the biggest problems of the future from global warming and health care, to the preservation of microbes which make our way of life possible. Learn more about Rob Dunn and his research at www.robdunnlab.com.

A special thank you to Novozymes who generously sponsored the statewide science project.

2019 STATE TOURNAMENT

Novozymes

Arlan Peters, Head of Sustainability, at Novozymes spoke on behalf of the company on their sponsorship of the NCSO Ant Picnic Project. The project asked participants to collect and send in ants so that scientist could study enzymes on their legs. The project was of great interest to Novozymes, a global leader in enzymes and microbes for industrial use.

Wolfpack Love

You may have noticed that this year NC State University had a larger presence at the State Tournament. From colleges tabling at the STEM Expo to Howling Cow ice cream provided by Parents & Families Services and Undergraduate Admissions. As the home of NCSO, NC State is dedicated to making sure participants have the best tournament experience possible.

Game Time

To boost excitement and encourage handson participation, NCSO held an impromptu game on the floor of Reynolds Coliseum after Opening Ceremonies. teams were asked to compete in a fun and high stakes game as onlookers cheered. Winners received a prizepack full of NCSO goodies and more.

Parade Champs

The parade of champions got a little bit more fun this year. To put more pep in the parade, NCSO added a spirit competition. Teams who really brought their team spirit were awarded with a prize pack including a gift card, NCSO and NC State swag. Congrats to Division B Saint Mary's Catholic School and Division C DaVinci's Dragons for their amazing outfits, enthusiasm, and creativity.