Egg launches, equations, and experiments. This and then some will be in store for the competitors of Parkview’s Science Olympiad team.

“It’s a team competition, with 12 members per team, consisting of 26 different competitions that cover all areas of science”, said Stephanie Blake, the teams’ advisor.

The events themselves vary from building projectile launchers to taking standard sit down tests to doing lab experiments.

“The students can benefit from this by learning what isn’t always taught in a school setting,” Blake continued. The students agree too! Shelby Feistner, senior, is researching astrology for her competition and Michael Lacea, senior, is researching anatomy.

“I feel this can help me get more insight into what the medical field is about,” Lacea said. He also mentioned he is looking into the medical field as his possible profession for the future.

Junior Anna Bingham is however entered in one of the hardest competitions that Science Olympiad offers.

“I’m in the Eggonaut competition, which involves hours of building a projectile and launching an egg while taking measurements,” Bingham said. “What makes it difficult is that it’s too big to bring to school to work on with my other team mates, as well as being time consuming.”

Parkview is sending three teams of 12.

This year happens to be the largest number of students from Parkview participating.

“This is the most interest we’ve had in the team in almost 10 years,” exclaimed Blake with a hint of enthusiasm in her voice. The competition will take place Feb. 25 across the entire Missouri State University campus.

 As over 40 other teams will be competing, Parkview’s Science Olympiad team will test their hard work and wits to try to earn a chance to compete in March, at the State competition in Columbia.

“We have a good shot this year, with so much involvement I hope we can have this sort of turnout next year,” Blake said.