ABSTRACT
Early on a Saturday morning, when most adolescents are still sleeping, Science Olympiad students are awake, full of excitement and anticipation as they head to school to take science tests for fun. As students enter the academic competition, they can feel the energy in the air. Students and adults are full of hope and anticipation. Will the last-minute adjustments to the catapult launch the projectile with improved accuracy? Will the new asteroids I added to my study sheet help me score better on the astronomy test? Did I remember my goggles and pH paper? Will I see my friend from the other school today? These students are excited about science – excited to learn about science and test their skills against other students who also love science. They are part of a larger community of like-minded peers, a community where they belong and can display their talents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
