Placing first in regionals at the National Science Bowl, placing third in states last year at Envirothon, placing in the top five at the Fairchild Challenge, and placing within the top ten percent at the Physics and Chemistry Olympiads last year. Palmetto’s Science Competitors’ Club has high hopes for this competition season.

“We had a really good record last year and hope to keep winning” Science Competitors’ sponsor Pam Shlachtman said.

Among others, Shlachtman plans on entering in the National Science Bowl (NSB), Envirothon, National Oceans Science Bowl (NOSB), Fairchild Challenge, Barry University Chemathon, and the Science Olympiads.

The competitions consist of groups of students competing against each other and tests students’ scientific knowledge and their speed at answering questions.

The science competitions are based in the United States and are nationwide. Although Envirothon is an international competition, teams must qualify to make it to the international level.

Envirothon is traditionally held at various national parks around the nation. The Envirothon is considered an international competition due to Canada being a main competitor.

“A question could range from the instructor picking up a handful of dirt and asking you what kind of dirt it is to a random question on birds,” senior Daniel Brooks said.

At the NSB, competitors race to buzz in and answer questions. Unlike Envirothon, the National Science Bowl quizzes competitors on different areas of science  rather than on a single category.

The other competitions that Palmetto will participate in are a varied styles of the NSB and Envirothon. These competitions require competitors to have a vast knowledge of all the branches of science.

“The science competitions and the club encourage people to learn more about the environment and other overlooked science subjects along with allowing you to compete against other teams,” junior Rachel Lee said.

With the pressure on, the Science Competitors’ Club hopes to continue and improve their record.