MTSU plays a key role in the Elementary Science Olympiad, which celebrates a 10th anniversary Saturday, April 29, at host John Pittard Elementary School, located at 745 Dejarnette Lane in Murfreesboro.

Eighteen teams from 13 schools across the Midstate will be participating.

Students from the Discovery School at Bellwood show excitement after winning a trophy in the Elementary Science Olympiad at John Pittard Elementary School in a previous competition. (Photo submitted)

Elementary Science Olympiad is held so elementary-age students who enjoy science, technology, engineering and mathematics — or STEM — can begin to experience the same team bonding middle school and high school students enjoy at the Regional Science Olympiad at MTSU.

Participating schools include Christiana Elementary; Dayspring Academy from Greenbrier, Tennessee; Discovery School at Bellwood; Goodpasture from Nashville; Homer Pittard Campus School; John P. Buchanan School; John Pittard; Northfield Elementary; Pearre Creek Elementary from Franklin, Tennessee; and Scales, Siegel, Stewartsboro and Walter Hill elementary schools.

Dayspring Academy, Goodpasture, Campus School, John Pittard and Pearre Creek entered two teams.

Elementary Science Olympiad events include “Barge Building,” “Egg Drop,” “Aerodynamics” and “Paper Rockets.”

MTSU faculty and staff work with Murfreesboro City Schools to hold the event.

Associate professor Pat Patterson is director of the Elementary and Regional Science Olympiads.

Earlier this year, Brentwood Middle, St. Rose and Woodland Middle from Brentwood, Tennessee, placed first, second and third, respectively, in the middle school regional competition at MTSU. St. Rose advanced to place sixth in the state middle school Science Olympiad in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Ravenwood, Central Magnet and Franklin placed first, second and third, respectively, in the high school regional event at MTSU.

For more information about the Elementary and Regional Science Olympiads, call 615-898-5085.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)