Playing to Learn With Middle School Science Olympiad

On Tuesday afternoons, a classroom on North Campus transforms into a laboratory for all things science. This is the Middle School Science Olympiad, where students dive deep into everything from epidemiology and anatomy to hovercraft engineering and circuit design, guided by Middle School Science Teacher Raman Mander and former Manager of Safety and Sustainability Dave Yamaoka P ’00, ’10, GP ’34.

Now in her fifth year coaching Science Olympiad, Raman has watched the program grow steadily, from just eight students in its early days to a team of more than 18 that now includes both seventh- and eighth-graders. “We started off really small,” Raman said. “Now we’re trying to build continuity, so students get exposure in seventh grade and feel more prepared and confident by the time they reach eighth.”

Science Olympiad functions much like an academic track meet, with 23 possible events spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering. Some events are written, test-based competitions that demand extensive independent research, while others are hands-on build challenges that require experimentation and teamwork.

Raman focuses primarily on the knowledge-based events, helping students prepare for tests that often reach college-level depth. “These are really detailed topic lists,” she explained. “Students have to be self-motivated and genuinely interested. They’re learning how to research, how to study, and how to master very specific areas of science.”

Dave Yamaoka, meanwhile, leads the build side of the program. From sourcing materials to interpreting event specifications, Dave supports students as they design and refine their projects week after week. As a recent staff retiree, he calls the Science Olympiad one of the highlights of his week. “I really can’t do it without Dave,” Raman said. “He handles all the builds and helps students understand both the engineering and the science behind what they’re creating.”

That partnership was on full display at a recent invitational tournament hosted by USC, where the team competed against nearly 90 teams in a day-long preview of the regional competition. Eighth graders Evan K. ’30 and Sean K. ’30 placed seventh overall in the hovercraft event.

“We built a lot of prototypes,” Evan said. “We experimented with different motors, materials, and designs, and kept improving it little by little.” Sean added that the coaches helped them get started before encouraging independence. “They set us on the right course, but then we tested things ourselves and asked questions when we needed help.”

For many students, Science Olympiad offers a new entry point into science. As a seventh-grader, Maggie F. ’30 was drawn to the Disease Detectives event last year and is continuing it this year as an eighth-grader, which focuses on epidemiology and public health. “I’ve always really loved science and medicine,” she said. “That event was exactly the kind of thing I was interested in.”

Others, like Raine B. ’30, credit the team for sparking her interest in the subject. “I hadn’t really liked science before,” Raine shared. “But Science Olympiad helped me learn test-taking strategies and study skills, and now I actually enjoy learning the material.” Raine now competes in multiple events, dividing research and preparation with teammates.

Collaboration is a defining feature of the program. Students often work in pairs, sharing responsibilities and learning how to communicate under pressure. “We usually split up the tests,” Maggie explained. “Each person focuses on different sections, and then we switch and combine everything.”

While competition is part of the experience, Raman emphasizes growth over medals. “Our goal isn’t really about winning,” she said. “Our goal is to help students grow, learn something new, and enjoy the process.”

That philosophy has created a welcoming environment for a wide range of learners, from students who love memorization and research to those who thrive on hands-on building. The team will next compete in the regional tournament at Rio Hondo College later this month, with an eye on learning, collaboration, and fun. As Raman put it, “If students are proud of what they’ve done and enjoyed the experience, that’s a win for us.”