April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Science Olympiad team medals in three events
After all, Hauser had never participated before in the annual event, a nationally respected science tournament that provides rigorous team-building challenges in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
But dedication was the key.
Deborah Gaff, the students' teacher and team leader, said members had practiced twice a week since deciding to enter the competition in October. Specifically, they met until 5 p.m. Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
The payoff came with a fourth place finish in February at the Olympiad's regional competition, followed by an impressive performance this month at the state competition at IU Bloomington. Although the team didn't qualify for nationals, it medaled in three events:
Gaff said the team's first-year success bodes well for future participation in the Science Olympiad tourney.
"I'm so excited for this team," she said. "Many of the (other) state teams in the junior high division were seasoned competitors. Schools in northwest Indiana have been fielding teams for 32 years."
Now, her own team has some experience and a better idea what it needs to do for success at the state level.
Team members agreed.
"Anything is possible," Walker said about what she learned from the experience. She said she is looking forward to an even better finish and "no surprises" next year.
Addison Jones said the experience taught her team building skills. She said she is looking forward to working with new teammates next year and perhaps learning something new about the math- and science-oriented fields that interest her.
"For a first-year team, I think Hauser did really well," Lance Bruer said. "I've learned that we really have to step up our preparation so that we can beat some of the best teams."
Gaff said one of the peripheral bonuses to the team's participation in Bloomington was that her students had to walk from one building to another, depending on which buildings hosted which events. It was like a real college experience, duplicating what students might experience on a daily basis attending classes. And it was at Indiana University, no less, which some of them may choose for their education.
One of Gaff's favorite features of the competition was that students got to participate in the events that interested them the most. The fields of science, technology, engineering and math cover a lot of ground, which allowed each students to pick the event or events that most closely aligned with their passions. The result was a golden effort by every student that made possible their strong finish.
Principal J.P. Mayer summed up his feelings during the Tuesday school board meeting.
"Way to represent Hauser!" he said.[[In-content Ad]]
