On November 12, 2024, Lambert High School’s Biology Olympiad team hosted their first Middle School Biology Olympiad at Sharon Forks Library. With over 200 participants from six counties, the event was a massive success and served as a step towards helping young future scientists explore their passions.
The Olympiad featured a challenging written exam, a Science Fair with interactive exhibits and one-on-one interviews for finalists. The attendees also got to enjoy a researcher panel, a team challenge and sponsor presentations.
“There has been a lot of interest in biology and pre-medical sciences from young students,” President of Lambert’s Biology Olympiad Sakethram Ramakrishnan explained. “By hosting something that’s free and completely available to all students…we’ve been able to democratize the passion that students have for science, and STEM and biology in general.”
Early Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, especially for middle schoolers, is crucial. STEM education gives students a well-rounded foundation of skills which will help them understand a wide range of concepts. It has become increasingly important to nurture the passions, interests and skills of the youth, especially with a waning number of students thriving and staying in STEM subjects. Despite increased interest in STEM careers, inadequate exposure to hands-on learning and real-world applications leaves most students unprepared for the subjects’ rigor. With only 20% of high school graduates prepared for college-level coursework in STEM majors, middle school students need more STEM exposure to prepare them for higher levels of education and the workforce ahead.
“This was great for the middle schoolers since it gave them a platform to explore topics beyond their regular curriculum,” Ramakrishnan noted. “We received a lot of positive feedback and many of the students and parents said that it was a transformative experience.”
The highlight of the event was the researchers panel featuring renowned scientists, Dr. Aaron Hata and Dr. Danny Welch from the National Foundation for Cancer Research. The researchers got to introduce the children to the process of scientific discovery, innovation and progress. The attendees also received valuable advice from the panel regarding careers and education in science, providing them with the necessary insight which can help propel them into a future STEM profession.
The success of the Middle School Biology Olympiad exemplifies how targeted efforts can inspire young minds to pursue their passions, no matter how difficult. Initiatives like these not only spark curiosity but build a strong foundation for critical thinking and problem solving, addressing the need to prepare students for future opportunities in STEM.
