GORE BAY—Two Charles C. McLean Public School teams took part in the Rainbow District School Board (RDSB) Math, Science and Technology Olympics for Grade 7 and 8 students, last week.
“C.C. McLean sent two teams to the annual Math-Science-Technology Olympics at Science North last Thursday,” said C.C. McLean teacher Bruce Lindsay. “Our teams competed against other Rainbow elementary schools. They ran around Science North answering math and science questions. Then they were given a design and build problem and had to create a solution with a given type and limited amount of materials.”
“This year, students were challenged to design and build a ski jump for ping pong balls. Their ping pong balls had to land in a target from a pre-determined distance,” explained Mr. Lindsay.
The event took place on April 13 at Science North in Sudbury. “Over 160 students took part in this event, which has become an annual tradition for (RDSB),” said director of education Norm Blaseg. Students were to apply what they learn in the classroom, “in a fun and creative way thanks to Science North, our partners in education. We are fortunate to have such an exceptional facility right here in our own backyard, giving students access to leading edge learning,” said Mr. Blaseg.
In the morning, students answered questions to test their knowledge in math, science and technology. A dedicated team of teachers from the RDSB worked diligently to prepare challenging questions related to Science North exhibits and the Grade 7 and 8 math, science and technology curriculum and created a math challenge that had students thinking like mathematicians, said Michele Henschel, curriculum coordinator for science and technology.
In the early afternoon, students participated in the technological design challenge. “This is an on-site event prepared and evaluated by the staff at Science North,” said Ms. Henschel. “It usually involves building a structure of some type with simple materials such as straws and popsicle sticks. There is a catch. The structure must be used to accomplish a task.”
“All participating students receive a t-shirt with the Math, Science, and Technology Olympics logo,” said Ms. Henschel. “They receive the t-shirts in advance so they can personalize them for their particular team. Team spirit is evident when students gather at Science North in tie-dyed t-shirts or ones painted with their school colours. They are ready and eager for their math, science and technology challenges.”
C.C. McLean sent two teams, one made up of Bailey Yaschuk-Middaugh, Tristan Tolsma and Rachael Orford and a team made up of Mary Hore, Lauren MacKay, and Kyle Wood. Ms. Middaugh’s team won the Spirit Award for enthusiasm and participation.
