On Saturday February 12th, Wantagh Science Olympiads participated in its annual science competition at Syosset High School. Wantagh Scioly students competed in over 20 science discipline events from astronomy to physiology to geology. After a day of robust ping ping parachute runs and ornithology bird tests, students waited with anticipation to hear their results at Monday’s virtual award ceremony. Team A Co-Captain Julia Froese said, “After leaving the competition, we were uncertain as to how we placed in the overall standings. However, it was humbling to know that we put our full effort into our individual events.”

That Monday, students huddled together in Room 204 (the place to be!) following the end of the school day where they learned that they medaled in 17 events and earned a final score of 142. This landed Team A 5th overall in Nassau County thereby qualifying them for the statewide Science Olympiads competition at LeMoyne College in Syracuse. In describing his initial feelings when hearing the news, Science Olympiads Advisor Mr. Colavita said, “My reaction was absolute pride in the work that everyone did for this event. The fact that they [the team] got to enjoy these results is a testament to their determination.”

Wantagh’s Science Olympiads is made up of three teams: A, B, and C. Students are broken down into the teams based on years committed to the club and prior science experience. Team A is made up of some of Wantagh’s top performing science students and is run by senior Co-Captains Julia Froese, Christina Patmanidis, and Kevin Pfundstein. In describing the responsibilities of being a Team A Co-Captain, Patmanidis said, “My co-captains and I make it a priority to advise our teammates to success. We teach them that hard work pays off and you will be rewarded for your efforts in this club.”

Prior to the competition, students spent weeks studying up by preparing outlines and building models for their events. For Team A’s Astronomy Team made up of Julia Inayan and Maylani Lee, preparation included many late night visits to the Wantagh Public Library analyzing the variability of low and mid-mass stars through Hubble Space Telescope images. 

For Co-Captain Kevin Pfundstein, establishing a sense of organization and independence for each group was paramount for Team A’s preparation and success. He said, “Every member of the team spends an extraordinary amount of time preparing for their events…The members of each team work on their own schedules to ensure they prepare for their events and some even come after school everyday. We have study nights on certain Fridays in order to give the team a chance to all come together and work while also having some fun. What nerds don’t want to be in school at 9pm on a Friday night?” 

Colavita credits the organization’s natural ability to forge friendships while also promoting the diversity of scientific thought. He said, “Science Olympiad gives students the opportunity to learn about areas that interest them that may be outside of the curriculum in the science courses they take. The enrichment rounds out their knowledge in many areas and is rewarding in and of itself, even without the medals.”

Below are the following events that Team A medaled in. Congratulations Science Olympiads! Best of luck at states!

*Environmental Chemistry (1st)

• Julia Froese (Senior)
• Julianna Rose (Senior)

*Anatomy & Physiology (2nd)

• Julianna Rose (Senior)
• Katherine Killian (Junior)

*Astronomy (2nd)

• Julia Inayan (Senior)
• Maylani Lee (Sophomore)

*Ping Pong Parachute (3rd)

• Jason VonHolton (Senior)
• Heather Sheridan (Sophomore)

*Remote Sensing (4th)

• Christopher Morale (Senior)
• Evan Thole (Junior)

*Rocks and Minerals (4th)

• Maylani Lee (Sophomore)
• Heather Sheridan (Sophomore)

*Gravity Vehicle (5th)

• Christina Patmanidas (Senior)
• Jason VonHolton (Senior)

*Bridge (6th)

• Jason VonHolton (Senior)
• Emma Nicholas (Sophomore)

*Detector Building (6th)

• Julianna Rose (Senior)
• Katherine Killian (Sophomore)

*WiFi Lab (6th)

• Christopher Morale (Senior)
• Kevin Pfundstein (Senior)

*Cell Biology (7th)

• Julia Froese (Senior)
• Evan Thole (Junior)

*Wright Stuff (9th)

• Christina Patmanidas (Senior)
• Natasha Meagher (Junior)

*Write It Do It (9th)

• Sean Browne (Junior)
• Natasha Meagher (Junior)

*Experimental Design (9th)

• Kevin Pfundstein (Senior)
• Natasha Meagher (Junior)
• Emma Nicholas (Sophomore)

*It’s About Time (9th)

• Christopher Morale (Senior)
• Katherine Killian (Junior)

*Forensics (10th)

• Christopher Morale (Senior)
• Sean Browne (Junior)

*Trajectory (10th)

• Jason VonHolton (Senior)
• Angela Pellicoro (Junior)