Students test skills at Science Olympiad Invitational in Grayslake

Hallie Olsen never really liked bugs, until her seventh-grade science teacher urged her to take an entomology class.

"I ended up really liking it," said the 12-year-old from Hainesville. "My coach relies on me to bring home a medal."

Olsen was among more than 600 students from 22 schools showing off their science knowledge during Saturday's Science Olympiad Invitational at Graylake Middle School.

Students in fifth through eighth grades competed for medals and overall ranking in a variety of science categories, including anatomy, physiology, entomology, experimental design, meteorology, simple machines, air trajectory, bottle rockets and bridge building.

"I always dreamed of being an entomologist but I never really knew exactly what's going on," said Michael Wentz, 13, an eighth grader from Grayslake. He said studying insects is about more than just picking them up and playing with them. "It was really hard. I almost considered dropping out of it."

Now, Wentz said, he has a wealth of information on the subject.

"I know all the weird stuff you wouldn't think of ... random, obscure, the useless facts, trivia ... it's a lot of fun."

The competition included 17 testing events and six building events.

"I love the study events where you can learn things about science and test your knowledge about it," said Sami Sakora, 12, a Grayslake seventh grader. "I love being able to learn new things and use my knowledge in other areas of life. You go into more detail than you would in a normal science class."

The bridge building contest tested which team could build the highest bridge that would hold the most weight. Students were scored on efficiency.

"I like building things," said Zachary Takiff, 12, of Grayslake, "cars, robots, construction, wheeled vehicles, air cars ... just the feeling that I can use this later in life."

It was the fourth in a series of invitationals where students practice what they have learned before the regional Olympiad March 14 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

"We have tough competition here," said Nicole McRee, Grayslake Middle School seventh-grade science teacher and Science Olympiad coach. "These (invitationals) are all practice ones to get the kids experienced and knowledgeable."

The top seven schools at regionals in March compete in the Illinois Science Olympiad, April 17-18, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Grayslake Middle School's varsity team has made it to the state Olympiad every year for the past 10 years, and placed fourth last year. The school also has been to the national competition five times in years past, McRee said.