The Parklane Science Olympiad teams have passed the early hurdles and will make it to national competition, but now the teams need help.
Parklane’s junior high and high school teams are the only groups in Mississippi who qualified for a national competition May 15-16 in Augusta, Ga.
Sponsors said the trip is estimated to cost some $12,000, which includes travel, room and board and event entry fees. So far, parents and team members have been pounding the pavement in search of funds — and support.
“We’ve made it a goal not to let finances keep the kids from the team,” said Kayla O’Hern, high school team sponsor. “It’s a little bit of a financial burden to go, but it’s worth it.”
This is the first year the junior high group will participate and the second for the high school. The teams qualified by winning their divisions at the state contest.
The national competition includes 23 events, touching on all areas of science, from forensics to physics to biology. Parklane will compete against top teams from public and private schools around the nation.
Carol Reeves, junior high sponsor, said local teams are seeking more than just money.
“We’re looking for anything that anyone can do to help,” she said. “It could be bottled water or brownies for the trip. Anything that would give them the motivation (to do well).”
O’Hern said students should be focusing on their projects instead of fundraising. “We’d really like the kids to be able to prepare as much as possible,” she said. “It’s definitely an achievement to get to go.”
