Huntington Middle School’s first Science Olympiad team in over a decade finished 2nd overall at the Los Angeles Regional competition that was held in February at Antelope Valley College. Out of 25 middle school teams at the competition, HMS scientists finished in the runner-up spot and will advance to the State competition, which will be held April 8 at Caltech. Out of 23 events, Huntington Middle Schoolers won 8 first place medals, 2 second place medals and 3 third place medals. The team is coached by 8th grade science teacher Suzanne Nitta and 7th grade science teacher Cynthia Wong.
Science Olympiad is an international, non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous, academic, interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the year.
San Marino High School, under the direction of Chemistry teacher Iris Shih, also finished 2nd at the Science Olympiad’s 31st annual Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad at Antelope Valley College to qualify for the State competition at Caltech on April 8.
Shih, a San Marino High School graduate who has returned to her alma mater to teach science, credited mentor Nathan Chan and Build team members Victoria Tse and Chloe Kuo for their efforts.
San Marino High School also fields what they call Team B, which includes Phalaen Chang, Aston Yong, Blake Castleman, Ben Chao, Benjamin Ung, Max Kolevski and George Feng, who are not pictured in the accompanying photo. Team B placed 16th in an invitational competition at Mesa-Wilson High School in January, with the A Team placing 8th.
“We like to give credit where credit is due,” said Shih.
