Members of the Quantum Physics Club placed eighth out of 39 high schools in Southern California at Occidental College on Feb. 22 for the Science Olympiad.
The team placed third in two events: Seniors Frank Chiu and Vincent Tsang for Circuit Lab and Juniors Kristy Hsi and Meishan Liang for Forensics. The team also placed fourth for Dynamic Planet, fifth for Technology Problem Solving, sixth for Magnetic Levitation, seventh for both Material Science and Bungee Drop, eighth for Geological Mapping and ninth for Water Quality.
The Science Olympiad team consisted of 15 people and three alternates. They began to study and prepare for the competition last October, meeting together every Saturday at either QPC Vice President Senior Natalie Jin’s or Senior Albert Chen’s house.
“We studied every Saturday and worked during lunch when we thought more time was necessary,” Sophomore Christine Cai said. “In the competition, there are study events and building events.”
For the powders section of the Forensics event, Hsi and her partner placed seven unidentified containers of different powders in test tubes. They attempted to figure out what each of the powders was.
“The powders all looked the same,” Hsi said. “You can test their pH, burn them, add iodine and add hydrochloric acid.”
The Science Olympiad team members built devices such as magnetically levitated vehicles, bungee cords and a Rube Goldberg machine. The team is currently preparing for the state competition, which will be held on April 5 at Canyon High School.
“Making state is a really big deal for us because it’s the second time our school’s made it in two years,” Jin said. “It’s a great feeling to be able to reap in the rewards. The competition’s going to be fierce, but I believe our efforts won’t go to waste.”