Battle of Brains Increases Science Knowledge

They may not have won in their most recent competitions, but for the students of the Battle of the Brains Group, it was just fun to meet new people and take part in new challenges.

"Our students had a great time," said Priya Mangano, teacher and leader of the group, which participated in the New Jersey Institute of Technology Science Olympiad of North Jersey Schools Jan. 12. "They met new friends from other schools and learned from them as well. I noticed a great deal of team bonding, which is such a huge aspect of any school club."

The Olympiad event welcomed about 500 middle and high school students from throughout northern New Jersey who are interested in science and engineering. Events included, among many others, the chance to build a vehicle using a mousetrap as its sole means of propulsion; a competition to build the most efficient tower with certain requirements; and another where one student wrote how to build an object and another student built it.

Participating schools included West-Windsor Plainsboro South High School, JP Stevens High School, Edison High School, West Morris Central Regional, South Plainfield High School, Hopewell Valley Central High School and many more.

The organization, Mangano said, welcomes students from ninth through 12th grades, and this year there were 13 participants in the regional tournament throguh Bridgewater-Raritan. Students take part in individual events during the tournaments that play to their science and math strengths.

"Each student has their strength and chooses an event that plays to their scientific backgrounds," she said. "For example, some students are great with math and physics, and thus choose to compete in the Towers competition or the Options event. Those better at biology opt for the Disease Detectives event."

Mangano said the club is open to anyone who wants to join, so long as the person contributes positively.

"They simply have to put in the effort and show teamwork, working with their partners on specific events," she said. "Team building, scientific research, as well as responsibility and proactive preparation are key skills these students have developed as a result of being part of Science Olympiad."

The Science Olympiad is a non-profit organization that works to advance science education, and increase students' interest in the subject. Events cover the many science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics and computers.

Mangano said she enjoys the competition—which is open to any Science Olympiad teams—but mostly appreciates the opportunity to work with the students.

"I truly enjoy meeting and getting to know the students, as well as what they want to do in the science field in the future," she said.

And even though they did not win in the most recent competition, Mangano—who is advising the club for the first time this year—said the students have worked very well together.

"Everyone supported each other, and encouraged each other to put their best foot forward in all the events," she said. "At the end of the day, no one was hard on each other, but optimistic for next year's competition."