Barry University to host more than 150 H.S. students in annual Science Olympiad

Barry University to host more than 150 high school students in seventh annual Science Olympiad

Barry University’s Physical Sciences department will host the seventh annual Science Olympiad, on Friday, April 11. More than 100 high school students from 10 schools around Miami-Dade and Broward counties will be on Barry University’s main campus in Miami Shores to participate in the competition, which consists of a written exam, an oral competition (similar to a quiz bowl or Jeopardy type event), and a lab competition.

The top performing students and schools are awarded certificates, medals, and prizes (including scholarships to attend Barry University) for their efforts. The students compete in teams of six students, and each school can bring three teams to compete in Chemistry I (for students in their first year of high school chemistry), Chemistry II (for students in their second year/AP chemistry), and Physics (for students in their first year of high school physics).

“Teachers from the Dade and Broward schools can only bring six students for each level, so the Olympiad can get pretty competitive,” said Dr. Tony Wallner, Olympiad director and chair of Barry’s Physical Sciences department.

The students and teachers will receive gift bags filled with donations from the community and business supporters. The award ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. the day of the event in Barry University’s Broad Theater for the Performing Arts. This year’s honorary chair (and guest speaker) will be Maura O’Shea-Owens, president of Barry University’s Alumni Association.

According to Wallner, there is more to the Olympiad than simple competition. “Society recognizes a lot of things, but there isn’t that much recognition for students who excel in math and science,” Wallner said. “We do the Olympiad as an outreach to the community, and also to acknowledge and award students who excel in science.”