Unleashing Creativity: First Grads Launch Gummy Bears at Science and STEM Olympiad

First graders at Chartiers Valley Primary School recently participated in the annual Science and STEM Olympiad on March 26. Among the activities enjoyed by the students was launching gummy bears with a small wooden catapult. The event featured 14 stations, each based on what the students had learned in science and STEM classes throughout the year.

Some of the stations included a “pentathlon” where students ran through an obstacle course while answering review questions, building a “marshmallow tower,” boat races, and constructing a bridge designed to hold weights. Luke Thomas, Olivia Weber, and Ivy Woods were among the students who found the gummy bear launch to be their favorite activity.

According to Ellen Zissis, the STEM teacher at Chartiers Valley Primary School, students often express that the Science and STEM Olympiad is one of their favorite days of the year. Zissis believes that participating in such events can help foster a love for science, develop crucial skills, and establish a strong foundation for future learning in STEM fields. The activities in the Olympiad are designed to be age-appropriate, hands-on, and to encourage curiosity and exploration.

For Luke and Olivia, the day was an enjoyable learning experience. Luke particularly enjoyed building things with Play-Doh while Olivia expressed how “cool” it was to learn about science. Overall, the Science and STEM Olympiad served as a fun and educational event for first graders at Chartiers Valley Primary School.