HoLa Wins 7 Medals at NJ Science Olympiad State Finals

HoLa Middle School students showcased their scientific prowess at the New Jersey State Finals Tournament for NJ Science Olympiad, securing an impressive total of seven medals across various events. Prior to their success at the state level, HoLa had to earn their spot by claiming fourth place at the Northeast regional contest.

HoLa took home 7 awards, including 3 top 3 awards in the state:

• 1st Place: Experimental Design
• 2nd Place: Road Scholar
• 3rd Place: Codebusters
• 5th Place: Roller Coaster
• 5th Place: Anatomy & Physiology
• 6th Place: Write it Do It
• 6th Place: Air Trajectory

Clinching the top spot in the state in Experimental Design, HoLa students devised and executed various experiments on-site, applying scientific methodology. HoLa secured second place in the Road Scholar event, a competition that challenges students to interpret complex geographical data, such as maps and satellite images, to answer questions accurately. Finishing third place in the state, the HoLa Codebusters team showcased their adeptness at cryptanalysis, decoding encrypted messages using historical and modern ciphers—a skill rooted in both mathematics and computer science, including Spanish-language cryptography.

HoLa students secured fifth place in Roller Coaster and Anatomy & Physiology events, where they displayed their understanding of physics and biology concepts. Additionally, their sixth-place finishes in Write It Do It and Air Trajectory competitions highlighted their ability to communicate technical information effectively and apply principles of projectile motion.