Students from Traverse City Central High School and Traverse City West Senior High School competed this spring in national competitions in Biology and Chemistry. These competitions culminate in the selection of students for international Biology and Chemistry competitions.
The USA Biology Olympiad Open Exam is offered in February to students nominated by a teacher. The top ten percent of students nationwide are invited to take the USA Biology Olympiad Semifinal Exam. Locally, 18 students participated in the USA Biology Olympiad Open Exam, most of who were nominated by Traverse City West Senior High School Biology Teacher, Marek Ulincy. The top three scoring students locally Jessica Oakley (semifinalist), Caitlyn Chism, and Kirsten Robinson were from Traverse City West Senior High School.
The US National Chemistry Olympiad is offered in March. Students may take the Chemistry Olympiad Local Qualifying Exam locally. The two students scoring the highest on the local exam are invited to take the National Chemistry Olympiad Qualifying Exam in April at Grand Valley State University. Locally, 19 students, recruited by Traverse City Central High School Chemistry Teachers, Christy Vadeboncouer and Marcie King, and Traverse City West Senior High School Chemistry Teachers, Juleen Jenkins-Whall and Patrick Gillespie, participated in the Chemistry Olympiad Local Qualifying Exam. Traverse City West Senior High School students, Ben Kosinski, Aaron Chism, and Drew Harwell received the top three highest scores.
Gift certificates were given to the top three students on each Olympiad Exam. In addition to these awards, nominating teachers were given gift certificates to further science education at their schools. These awards were sponsored by Dr. Peter D. Fedor and Great Lakes Eye Consultants. Nest year TCAPS plans to promote and give awards for Olympiads in Mathematics and Physics in addition to Biology and Chemistry and to ensure permanent funding for these competitions for high school students in the Traverse City area.
Please contact SCI-MA-TECH Director John Failor at 231-933-3554 for further information.