EAST GREENWICH - With so many Our Lady of Mercy School students interested in science, it's no wonder the school placed first April 1 in the state Science Olympiad for the second year in a row.
Michelle Lewandowski, a science teacher at the East Greenwich school for the past six years, said that when it came to selecting a team of 15 students to participate in the event at Rhode Island College, she used the essays they had written indicating their willingness to work hard and their fondness for everything scientific. It was important that they have the time to devote to studying together, she said.
Lewandowski said the students' strengths were identified through the meetings and, based on this, teams of two Our Lady of Mercy Grades 7 and 8 students participated in an average of two to four events in the 23-event competition in the Middle School B Division.
The students participated in a variety of activities, including tests of their knowledge of such topics as oceanography and meteorology; interactive displays, such as making wheeled vehicles and balloon-launch gliders; and cause and effect.
In all, the team won five gold, five silver, and one bronze medal, qualifying them to represent Rhode Island in the National Science Olympiad May 18 and 19 in Wichita, Kan.
Lewandowski said the school will be holding a number of fundraisers to help defray the cost of the trip. "Although last year's team didn't win medals at the nationals, it was a wonderful learning experience and something they will never forget," she said. In fact, many from last year's team came to RIC to cheer the Our Lady of Mercy team to victory.
Lewandowski is assisted by teacher Paula Noll and parent volunteers.
Members of this year's winning team are:
Grade 8
Greg Duffy, Brittany Hazelton, Jennifer McGunigal, Kelsey Hitt, Andrew Andraka, David Igliozzi, Amy Buonaccorsi, Ryan Meehan, Katherine Bell and Marin Peterson.
Grade 7
Steven Petteruti, Keenan Gray, Kevin Gray, Jacob Magiera and Molly Kalk.
Alternates
Grade 8, Vicotira Kaprazak, Christopher Mitrelis and Parick Morris.
Grade 7, Dan Moren.
Support team members are Elizabeth Parks, Jessica Komari and Brandon Hazelton.
Those interested in helping the team go to Wichita for the national competition may call the school, 884-1618, for information on where to send checks.
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
