Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
1:07 pm Thursday, March 16, 2017

Columbia claims Science Olympiad championship

Sponsor Lisa Grice, back at center, hoists their 2017 Science Olympiad Championship trophy in the air as Columbia fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders show their excitement. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Columbia Elementary School students are deservedly showing their pride after winning the school’s first-ever championship in the Elementary Science Olympiad.

The Columbia Science Olympiad team seized their honor at Jacksonville High School on Feb. 18.

“In 2015, we prepared for the competition, but an ice storm hit the Tennessee Valley and prohibited us from traveling to the event. Although we were sad that we couldn’t compete, we were motivated even more to enter the 2016 competition. We placed fourth overall that year with many of our awesome kids receiving medals in most of the 28 events,” Lisa Grice said.

Grice sponsors the team and teaches fifth-grade science at Columbia. Neisha Magonigal is parent sponsor. “We couldn’t have done this without support of our Columbia family,” Grice said.

Science Olympiad, a national nonprofit organization, is devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest and providing recognition for outstanding achievement by both students and teachers. Science Olympiad tournaments are academic interscholastic competitions with a series of individual and team events.

More than 50 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders are on Columbia’s Science Olympiad team. However, only 24 students could enter the tournament, so they cross-trained for various events. One month before the contest, they competed against each other to represent CES in Jacksonville.

Team members are fourth-grader Erik Wu; and fifth-graders Shreyas Acharya, Dan Ayala-Diaz, Will Bagwell, Elena Brough, Madison Campbell, Lauren Hewell, Nathan Mayfield, Lauren Merschat, Olivia N., Andy Park, Pranaav Satheesh, Neil Sethi, Kaitlyn Thompson and Caroline Votroubek.

From sixth grade, members are Neha Chopade, Puja Chopade, Yasha Daz, Yuti Daz, Lauren Evans, Parker Magonigal, Tucker Magonigal, Justin Pan, Pranav Ramesh, Soorya Ramesh, Neha Singhal, Shreya Sunil and Timothy Zhu.

In individual events, Columbia students claimed places in 18 of 28 events (alphabetically by project):

Bridging the Gap — Erik Wu, Tucker Magonigal, second; Calculator Contest — Neil Sethi, first; Crash Landing – Shreyas Acharya, Lauren Merschat, first; Dinosaurs and Disasters – Tucker Magonigal, Nathan Mayfield, sixth.

Don’t Bug Me – Pranaav Satheesh, Will Bagwell, fifth; Food for Thought – Parker Magonigal, Soorya Ramesh, third; Geometrics — Neha Singahl, Shreya Sunil, second; Going Green – Neha Chopade, Puja Chopade, second.

How Do You Spell Science? — Shreya Sunil, Pranav Ramesh, third; Infographics — Lauren Evans, Puja Chopade, third; It’s Elemental — Neha Singhal, Soorya Ramesh, third; No Bones About It — Will Bagwell, Neha Chopade, first.

Science Decades — Lauren Evans, Olivia N., second; Space Invaders —  Neil Sethi, Will Bagwell, first; Super Sleuths — Elena Brough, Neha Singhal, first; Triple Play — Pranav Ramesh, Soorya Ramesh, Dan Ayala-Diaz, first; Where in the World? — Neha Chopade, Puja Chopade, first; Which Way’s North? — Lauren Evans, Neil Sethi, second. 

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *