The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

Science medals 

by Jake Katz 

Before competitors from all over the world went for the gold at the Sochi Olympics, WHS competitors captured medals of their own at the NJ Science Olympiad. On Jan. 16, 2 teams made up of a total of 37 students, went to the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark to compete in the regional NJ Science Olympiad.

Some of the events at the competitions included using machines designed and built by students to complete certain tasks. They included moving a raw egg a certain distance without breaking it. Students were also tested on their execution of laboratory techniques and their analysis of astronomical or geological scientific data, according to Club Adviser Dr. Lou Casagrande.

Said senior Ben Eisenberg, “I have always had a strong passion for science…[and] I thought [Science Olympiad] would help me learn more about various sciences while also teaching me cooperative skills.”

To prepare for this competition, senior club member Michael Roggenberg spent time constructing and testing his builds over a period of time to work out problems and perfect them.

Roggenburg said of Club Advisers Casagrande and Dr. Dana Philipps: “They have been very supportive with every event. As a science teacher, [Casagrande] tries to provide assistance on any event he can as far as information [goes], since he is not allowed to help on builds.”

Said Casagrande: “A lot of [club members] get to study and become experts in subjects that they probably would not get to in a traditional class setting. They have competitions in forestry as well as robotics.”

The club won medals for top 6 finishes in 6 separate events, and placed eighth in the competition out of 19 teams. The next competition, which is the state competition, will be on March 11 at Middlesex Community College.

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