There are many things to be thankful for this time of year, but in Belleville, educational opportunities that embrace the sciences are one of them! For this, students are grateful for the dedicated work of their 9th-12th grade Science Teacher Meredith Smith, who works tirelessly to improve science education in the State of Wisconsin and beyond. To this end, Smith coaches Belleville's Science Olympiad "intelletes" and was instrumental in getting the ball rolling to start this strong academic team here at Belleville High School in 2015.

Meredith Smith's desire to see that students have the ability to compete academically in the sciences, along with her fostering of STEM-related education in her classroom as a National Board Certified Teacher, has built a strong Science Olympiad program for her Belleville students, as well as offered her the opportunity to contribute to the field of science on a national level.

Smith became aware of the Science Olympiad program when she was getting her Master's Degree in Physics Education at River Falls. "I knew I couldn't start a high school team right then and there with the rigors of getting my Master's Degree, but I felt in the moment that this is the next step I want to take." And... she did!

Science Olympiad competition first began in the U.S. in the early 1980s and sparked an interest in educators nationally which has continued to this day. It's been its mission to elevate science-based learning and competition to a level traditionally reserved for varsity athletics. (https://www.soinc.org/about/background)

Smith first launched the Belleville team during the 2015-16 academic year, with fifteen interested students and grew the team to about forty-five members before COVID reared its ugly head in 2020. At the time her team was preparing for the state meet, and so Smith joined with other key coaches from Wisconsin and the Science Olympiad Wisconsin State Supervisor to form a Blue Ribbon Committee and drafted a proposal to move competitions to a virtual platform while educators traversed uncharted territory as the virus impacted in-person events and competition negatively across the board. Shortly thereafter, the National Science Olympiad office came back with a plan to host satellite and "mini" virtual competitions, along with an approved on-line testing platform. Eager to get back on track, Smith was the first in the nation to host a satellite tournament in 2020 with over 50 teams competing from all over the nation.

District Administrator Nate Perry notes Smith's strong impact on this STEM-based competition: "Since its start during the 2015-16 school year, the Belleville High School Science Olympiad team has brought an enormous amount of positive attention to the district. Mrs. Smith is considered a leader in the state among coaches. This team has provided so many opportunities to our students to advance their love and interest in science!"

Since 2017, Belleville High School hosted its first in-person Science Olympiad Invitational since COVID. On November 12th, Belleville welcomed over 700 academic athletes or "intelletes" (as some refer to these science competitors) from 52 in-person teams to participate and show what they know in a tournament where opposing teams compete in science-related events like Code Busters, Astronomy, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry Lab, Experimental Design, and Remote Sensing just to name a few! Competitors participated from all over Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Additionally, the competition also hosted a separate national satellite virtual tournament with 70 online teams participating.

The day of the event, Smith was assisted by fellow coaches from rival teams whose love for helping their colleagues who share a passion for Science Olympiad far exceeds "winning." It is expected that all teams help run an event. Between middle school and high school, there are 56 events that need event supervisors, test writers, proctors, and graders. This is not possible without the coaches, help of parents, help of alumni, and school staff.

Alums from the Belleville Science Olympiad team, Hansi Bartle, James Gustafson, Matt Loshaw, Logan Niesen, Noah Niesen, Jack Nolden, Gary Salmela, and Gina Salmela, offered hands-on help the day of the event as well. Helping from afar were Grace Przybyl and Zach Thole, who also continue to take time out of their daily lives to support a favorite teacher!

Carolyn Loshaw, parent of former Science Olympiad "intellete" Matt Loshaw, notes, "It's pretty special to see the Belleville Science Olympiad alumni come back from college to help at the home meet. This is a pretty incredible testament to what Science Olympiad meant to them during their high school years."

Overall Belleville's Varsity team performed well, taking 6th overall and placing 3rd in the Small School Division. The Belleville Teams earned medals in 19 out of the 24 events they participated in.

Coach Smith underscores, "The earlier you get going, the more competitive the kids are!" as she readies her team to host the regional tournament here in Belleville on February 4, 2023. In planning the competition schedule for her varsity team and hosting tournament invites, Smith wants to give her students every opportunity to soar. She knows she coaches a talented group of students, and in her eyes – practice makes perfect is the best tool in helping the team grow. For this, her science students are more than grateful as they want every chance to be competitive and shape their futures with both educational and career opportunities. Science Olympiad offers these students a chance to learn and grow as they plan for their next chapter thanks to Smith's hard work and dedication as a STEM-focused teacher!