Team History
The Coolidge School Science Olympiad program at the A.W. Coolidge Middle School in Reading, Massachusetts is comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who compete in the Science Olympiad program. The Coolidge team won first place at the Massachusetts Science Olympiad on March 19, 2011– the 18th time in the last 19 years that the Coolidge team has brought home this honor. They earned 9 gold, 3 silver, and 6 bronze medals at the state competition, as well as the opportunity to compete at the National Science Olympiad tournament, to be held at the University of Wisconsin Madison in May. At last year’s national tournament, the team earned three medals (one second and two third place medals), scored in the top ten in four additional events, and placed 16th in the nation overall.

Events
In the Science Olympiad, students compete in 23 events across five program areas. This year, students are studying anatomy, chemistry, ecology, ornithology, meteorology, the solar system, and more. They are building towers, battery-powered vehicles, and small machines that perform designated tasks. They are studying technical writing and experimental design. In preparing to test their knowledge and skills against their peers from other schools, they learn to work hard and excel, and they win widespread recognition and acclaim for academic achievements.

Funding
The team’s operating budget must cover the materials and supplies needed for the team to function, as well as expenses involved in bringing the team and materials to competitions. The families of student participants provide contributions to help defray these expenses, but the team relies on external funding to support 50% of its operating budget.