Participating in the Bio Process Lab event as a member of Tumwater’s Science Olympiad team in 2023 was a highly anticipated experience. Our preparations had been thorough, and we approached the competition with enthusiasm and confidence. However, the competition test paper left us feeling a bit underwhelmed until we were presented with the gold medal.
In the lead-up to the event, my partner and I diligently reviewed various chemistry concepts, drawing from prior experiences like the You Be the Chemist competition. As the dreaded March 18th state competition neared, we shifted our focus to mastering biology concepts by delving into topics such as cell functions, food chain, reproductive systems, bacteria, and genetics.
Under the guidance of our coach, Poulami aunty (my partner’s mother), we visited Portland Community College’s lab facilities. There, we honed our skills in operating compound microscopes, triple beam balances, vernier calipers, and handling chemical mixtures. We felt these hands-on sessions would better prepare us for the challenges we would face on the day of the competition.
When competition day arrived, we entered the room at the University of Portland with a mix of excitement and nerves. The professor briefed us on safety instructions and rules before directing us to our designated station, Station 4, where our test would start.
Each partnership received a paper with sections corresponding to five different stations positioned around the room. Each station covered diverse biochemistry topics, including mitosis, cell biology, bromothymol blue & pH, and more. As we progressed through the stations, we found the tasks seemingly getting easier, culminating with the final station involving weighing with a balance.
Upon completion, the professor inquired about our thoughts on the paper. Surprisingly, every single group, including ours, expressed that they found it relatively easy. This left us with an uncertain feeling about our ranking since it appeared that other groups might have performed as well or better than we did.
Later that evening, during the eagerly awaited awards ceremony, the tension among Tumwater’s entire team was palpable. We were all hoping to hear the magical words, “Tumwater Triumphant,” as they announced the gold medal winner for the celebrated Bio Process Lab event. When the moment finally arrived, and the announcement for “Stoller Legends, 2nd place” was made, excitement rippled through us. We knew that the gold medal was ours!
In a moment of confidence and anticipation, we began walking down the center aisle even before the final announcement. As the words “Tumwater Triumphant, 1st place” echoed through the air, we stood before the crowd, basking in the proud moment of victory as the gold medal was ceremoniously placed around our necks. The triumphant feeling was unforgettable and made the entire journey worth the effort we put in.