The Bedford Middle School (BMS) Science Olympiad team has once again emerged victorious in the Science Olympiad state competition held in Coventry on March 16. Led by head coach Dr. Daniel Cortright, the team placed first, securing a spot to represent Connecticut at the national Science Olympiad competition at Michigan State University on May 24 and 25.
With between 30 and 50 participants every year since 2017, the Science Olympiad program at BMS is a force to be reckoned with. Despite facing challenges such as last-minute illness or family commitments that forced some students to withdraw from the competition, two teams of 14 still managed to compete in this year’s tournament.
Science Olympiad tournaments cover a diverse range of science and engineering topics, with events including building timed marble roller coasters, conducting experiments, and solving complex challenges. As head coach, Cortright has seen firsthand the dedication and determination required to succeed in these challenging events.
“The events are really challenging,” he said. “But if they stick with it, students start to see competitive success in seventh and eighth grade.” As they prepare for nationals, the team will continue to build on their school’s strong record – BMS has secured the title of Connecticut’s state champ every year since 2018.
For Cortright, watching students grow in success during their middle school years is his favorite part of being involved with the Science Olympiad program at BMS. “It is a great feeling to watch a young person realize that persistence really can pay off,” he said. With their continued hard work and determination, there is no doubt that this team will be a force to be reckoned with at nationals.