Elementary SECME Olympiad Draws Gladiators of Science

Over 350 students from 43 elementary schools participated in Palm Beach County Elementary SECME District Olympiad today, Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Jeaga Middle School. Congratulations to the competitors! SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication, and Mathematics Enrichment) is a national organization with the goal of increasing the pool of students who will be prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, thus creating a diverse and globally competitive workforce.

During each of the Olympiads, students participated in a variety of competitions which included
balsawood bridgesmousetrap cars water bottle rockets banners, Brain Bowl, essays, poems, and posters.

When the dust settled, the 2010 overall district champions were named:

1^st Place Overall – Freedom Shores Elementary School

• 2^nd Place Overall – Northboro Elementary School


• 3^rd Place Overall – Jerry Thomas Elementary School


• Honorable Mention Overall – Marsh Pointe Elementary School

The 2010 individual competition champions are as follows:

1^st Place Essay – Dante Pullano, Jerry Thomas Elementary School

• 1^st Place Mousetrap Car – Marshe Pointe Elementary (The Master Mechanics Team)


• 1^st Place Water Rocket – Jerry Thomas Elementary (The Terrific Tigers Team) & Del Prado Elementary (The Rocketing Panthers Team)


• 1^st Place Banner – Northboro Elementary (The Mustangs Team)


• 1^st Place Brain Bowl – Freedom Shores Elementary


• 1^st Place Bridge – Northboro Elementary (The Miniature Einsteins Team)


• 1^st Place Poster – Lucio Hernandez Salgado, Diamond View Elementary


• 1^st Place Poem – Arriana Kerbs, Beacon Cove Elementary School

The winning entry in the essay competition advances to the SECME National Student Competition which will be held on June 26, 2010 at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. Winners of the water rocket and mousetrap car competitions will be recognized at the national competition.

The theme for this year’s SECME program is “SECME: Igniting Minds Through STEM Education.” STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Olympiad supporters include:

- Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science. FAU awards up to 25 four-year scholarships each year to qualified SECME students.

- Mr. Glenn Cunningham and Hazen and Sawyer, - Mr. Chris Garrett and Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne - Mr. Steve Morris and Suncoast Marine, CH2M Hill, and FPL.