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“We started doing the Science Olympiad instead of 
Science Bowl because we could involve more students, 
so there is more equity. We were doing it for fun and 
we placed fi rst and second at our fi rst competition and 
we’ve gone to State every year.”

Building a boomilever and the Potions 

and Poisons events are two of the 23 Science 
Olympiad categories in which members of 
Bonham’s Science Olympiad team compete. 

Michael is the team’s only third-year member, 

having competed since Bonham ventured into 
the Science Olympiad circuit three years ago. 
For his part, Michael must prepare for a test on 
organisms and elements and for a lab experiment.  

Last year’s Potions and Poisons competition 

focused on chromatography, requiring students 
to separate dyes and inks into the diff erent 
pigments in which they are comprised. Th

 e idea is 

to determine the formula used to create a specifi c 
color of ink. “Some liquids or pigments are more 
soluble than others, so when you put them in 
water or rubbing alcohol, they will separate,” 
explains Michael. Using chromatography paper, 
Michael could then determine the exact ink color 
proportions. “If you had a black Sharpie, you 
could see how much red, gray, purple, or blue 
was used to make it that perfect black color.”

If it sounds complicated, it is. Th

 is is college-

level work. “At the middle school level, there’s 
nothing like Science Olympiad,” says Bonham 
science teacher and Science Olympiad coach 
Hannah Galbreath. “Some of the competitions 
we do are not things you’re going to fi nd in a 
traditional classroom.” 

“It is a true STEM competition,” agrees Bonham 

science teacher and co-coach Kimberly Irving.  

In the Science Olympiad world where some 

schools have been competing for many years, the 
Bonham team is considered underdogs. But they 
don’t compete like underdogs.

Eighth grader Jolie Gaines placed fourth 

at state in the Solar Systems competition. In 
this event, Jolie must answer questions about 
the rocky bodies of the outer solar system, the 
moons of Saturn and dwarf planets. “I feel proud 
of us. We know how to do all sorts of things not 

everyone can do,” she says. 

“Our students are amazing,” says Hannah. “We started doing the 

Science Olympiad instead of Science Bowl because we could involve more 
students, so there is more equity. We were doing it for fun and we placed 
fi rst and second at our fi rst competition and we’ve gone to State every year.” 

Now there is a dedicated class for the competition team. Th

 ey practice 

aft er school and on weekends, and they raise money for supplies and 
competition expenses. “It is a big investment, but it is a big payoff ,” says 
Kimberly. “We’re opening doors early. Th

 ey’re getting to try out things 

they otherwise wouldn’t get to do for years to come.”