by Donna Iadipaolo

Please note: Donna Iadipaolo has volunteered as a Science Olympiad coach every year for the past four years.

THE LARGEST SCIENCE Olympiad in the nation occurs each year in Ann Arbor thanks to the efforts of Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO).

This year, at Pioneer High School, all of Ann Arbor Public School’s 21 elementary schools participated in the May 10 WESO event, as well as many charter schools, for a total of 27 participating elementary schools.

“WESO is still the largest elementary science Olympiad not only in Michigan, but also in the country,” said WESO President Susan Blackburn,  President, Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad, who has been active with WESO since its inception 12 years ago.

Approximately 1,8OO students competed at the event this year, with an estimated total attendance of about 3,000 people.

According to Blackburn, WESO was recognized over five years ago by the National Science Olympiad as the largest elementary program in the country.

The main part of the all-day event is spent with scheduled competative academic events, such as “Reflections” that studies the science of mirrors and light, “Circuit Wizardry” that deals with electricity, and “Estimania” that tests mathematical concepts.

“WESO’s goal is to bring an academic competition to the same level of recognition and praise normally reserved for athletic competitions,” said Blackburn.  “Our goal is to make every student feel like a winner. We accomplish this in a number of ways.”

For instance, Blackburn described how the annual competition ends with a medal ceremony. First through fifth place awards are given to highest scoring teams (by grade) in each event.

She added that it is simultaneous important that the event create an atmosphere that all the kids are winners in the sense that the children have learned new scientific concepts and made new friends all while developing team spirit and practicing good sportsmanship.

“New this year is the awarding of proficiency ribbons in effort to recognize teams who demonstrated a degree of mastery of the material on its own merits and not necessarily in comparison with other teams in the competition,” said Blackburn.

There are also over two dozen “open events” run in the Pioneer High School cafeteria that anyone can partake in.

“These events are designed to expose kids to a multitude of scientific concepts covering physics, chemistry, and life sciences,” said Blackburn. “The majority of the open event stations were designed and run by local high school students.”

In addition to these events WESO also had exhibits from Leslie Science and Nature Center, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological Station, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration: Great Lakes Environmental Research laboratory, Animals from the Great Lakes Zoological Society, and ‘Robot Sumo’: a demonstration by Skyline Robotics USFIRST Team (#3322).

Financial accessibility for all to compete is also a key component of the event.

“Due to increased sponsor support, we are able to provide additional support materials to the schools and keep WESO participation free to all kids,” said WESO Board Member Gilda Johnson.

The only monetary contribution that schools make to WESO is a  $175 per school fee ($3.50 per student for a team of 50 students); the fee is typically paid by the school’s PTO. There are no other fees charged to any students. The overall costs for operating WESO substantially exceeds this fee; the cash subsidy per student is approximately $10.

WESO provides materials to each school for many events (rocket launchers, potions kits, circuits kits, et cetera) workshops for many events, and WESO covers all other expenses related to the event.

“Without sponsors and other fundraising initiatives, namely food sales and basket raffles, we would have to substantially increase the fees charged to the schools,” said Johnson. “We are very proud of the fact that the fee has essentially stayed the same the past few years.

WESO is entirely an volunteer group comprised of nine Board Members. Many of the Board have been with WESO since its beginnings and work to continue to promote the vision of Dee Vayda (retired AAPS elementary teacher) who envisioned a program designed to promote science through a hands-on, team-based approached for all students in Washtenaw County.

“We are proud to say this year we are reaching that vision through the participation of schools not only in Ann Arbor but also Saline, Dexter, Manchester and Ypsilanti,” said Blackburn.

She noted WESO expects an additional 200 students to compete on May 31st in their 2nd competition this year, their “new” school competition, at University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex

The dedication and hard-work of countless volunteers and supporters is most notable.

“The real credit for this achievement needs to be given to the community of Ann Arbor,” said Blackburn.  “Without the outpouring of support we have received from parents, schools, community members, and local businesses, WESO would not be the success it is today.”