By Crystal Hayduk
Students on Beach Middle School’s Science Olympiad Team are counting down the days to their first meet, the Hudson Invitational on Feb. 14.
When forming a team, Sheryl Dewyer, advisor and head coach, looks for students who not only love science and are curious by nature, but also have skills in organization and communication, and the ability to work hard and be flexible.
“Science Olympiad encourages our STEM kids (science, technology, engineering, math),” said Dewyer, who holds a PhD in human genetics from the University of Michigan. “It also encourages independent learning. These students learn how to solve problems and how to look at things differently.”
The team began practicing in early November, meeting after school two to three times a week to study 23 different topics. Subjects can require students to design and build a project, attain specific science-related knowledge, or apply information learned to real-life problems.
Dewyer said that although each student specializes in three or four topics, they all work together to some extent and take ownership in all of the areas. In addition to the 15 starting team members, there are three alternates who are prepared to jump into any topic as needed. The team also has a student manager.
“Being a part of Science Olympiad also allows kids who aren’t into athletics to be acknowledged for what they’re good at, although we have a few students who do both,” Dewyer said.
Jean McKim, who co-advises the team and coaches four subjects, has been involved with Science Olympiad for 13 years. There are also a number of parent coaches assisting.
Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel praised Dewyer’s work and the team in a written statement: “Mrs. Dewyer has done a great job in her role as Science Olympiad advisor. She devotes tireless hours to make sure the build events, hands-on events and knowledge-based events are a success; and her students appreciate her deep understanding of science and technology.”
Angel added, “Mrs. Dewyer has put together a strong core of coaches and parent assistants to make sure each event has a mentor to assist students in their projects. We are fortunate to have her working with our BMS students.”
Science Olympiad is financially supported, in part, by a generous grant from the Chelsea Education Foundation.
