Students put their engineering and science skills to the test
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/EngSciOlmpics08.jpg” caption=”Over 1,000 students from 57 high schools across the province partook in the McMaster Engineering and Science Olympics. Photo by Wendy Hostein.”]If you were wondering why students on campus seemed at a bit younger last Thursday, October 16 — or you thought you heard the rev of an SAE Formula Car — it may just have been that you stumbled upon the 19th annual McMaster Engineering and Science Olympics.
Over 1,000 students from 57 high schools across the province arrived early to take part in the day's festivities for a chance to win upwards of $20,000 in McMaster tuition entrance prizes, movie tickets and Fireball merchandise.
“Each year the number of students participating in the Olympics grows,” stated Ken Coley, associate dean (academic) in the Faculty of Engineering and emcee for the awards presentation. “Every year the enthusiasm, skill-set and knowledge of the students amazes everyone involved. They are at the top of their game and are very worthy of the scholarships they won.”
Over a dozen competitive events took place throughout the day, at various locations around campus. Students gathered outside of John Hodgins Engineering building to witness eggs survive the Egg High Jump, while crowds formed in the lobby of MDCL to watch students build boats, planes and bridges out of paper in the Physics Paper Triathlon. Students put their CSI knowledge to the test in the 2nd annual Chemical Forensics Competition, just as Engineering Jeopardy, Mental Gymnastics, Oodles of Noodles and other events tested the students and entertained spectators. Even teachers got in on the action to win tuition awards ranging from $100 to $1,500 to go to the students of their choice in the Teachers' Challenge.
“This event is a great initiative. High school students and teachers have the chance to win some funds for tuition and we in the Faculties of Science and Engineering have the opportunity to see the knowledge and talent that could potentially join us in the years to come,” stated Alison Sills, associate dean (studies) in the Faculty of Science. “The Olympics are often credited by current students as a reason why they chose McMaster.”
The high school students also had the opportunity to learn more about engineering and science through presentations and displays around campus. Randall Dumont, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, had students enthralled with In Your Face Chemistry. Cliff Burgess, professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, discussed the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator in his lecture, The Large Hadron Collider: Start of a New Era or End of the World? And Matheus Grasselli, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, engaged students discussing Math in Movies. The W.J. McCallion Planetarium and a virtual reality simulator were also open to amaze the budding engineers and scientists.
This year marked the 19th anniversary of the Engineering and Science Olympics. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the day possible. Special thanks also go out to ArcelorMittal Dofasco for providing the BBQ lunch and to Cineplex Entertainment for donating the additional prizes of movie passes.
