St. Athanasius Wins Big at Science Competition

Students from St. Athanasius School in Evanston took home the hardware at the recent Chicago Non-Public Schools Science Exposition at the Museum of Science and Industry. The students bested 500 other students from nearly 50 competing schools and won the Top School Award.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment for these students, and for our school,” said St. Athanasius Principal Susan Castagna.

Of the 23 St. Athanasius students who competed, 18 received gold awards, four received silver and one received bronze. Additionally, six students received Special Awards for Outstanding Projects, and another seven received Medals for Outstanding Achievement. The seven will advance to compete at the Illinois Junior Academy of Sciences State Fair held in early May.

Castagna credited Mary Vitaioli, the school’s seventh and eighth grade science teacher.

“She set high standards, systematically taught the scientific method, experimentation and presentation skills, and inspired students to stretch beyond what they thought they could do,” the principal said. “The resulting projects were creative, well-researched, and excellently presented. We pride ourselves on nurturing our students’ love of science, and we’re incredibly excited that they’ve taken their knowledge and creativity to new levels of achievement.”