Six LCPS teachers have been awarded scholarships to attend the North Carolina Science Olympiad Coaches Clinic.

The Coaches Clinic is a two-day workshop, held Oct. 4-5, to train teachers to participate in NCSO tournaments. The clinic includes hands-on instruction from Science Olympiad event leaders from across the country. Techniques and curriculum taught at the clinic enhance team performance at NCSO tournaments and classroom instruction.

This year’s winners are Selina Gray of Pink Hill Elementary School, Katena Cherry of Southeast Elementary School, Alicia Davis of La Grange Elementary School, Dr. Rita Joyner of Lenoir County Early College High School, Adam Pike of Woodington Middle School and Samantha Rouse of Northwest Elementary School.

Hundreds of LCPS students participate in two Science Olympiad competitions held each winter, a countywide event for elementary students and a regional competition for middle and high school students hosted by Lenoir Community College The older students have the opportunity to advance from regional to state competition.

This will be Selina Gray’s third year attending the clinic, but her first as a scholarship recipient. She’s glad to be going back. “We have the opportunity to attend sessions on any of the events and get all the inside tips and tricks for preparing for the Science Olympiad,” she said.

Gray, who teaches fourth grade, and fifth-grade teacher Betsy Mercer handle head coaching duties, coordinating schedules and completing paperwork; but all third, fourth and fifth grade science teachers sign up to coach events. “We share the love,” Gray said.

Funds provided by Duke Energy Foundation provide Coaches Clinic scholarships as part of the Rural Participation Project. The Project expands access to Science Olympiad tournaments for rookie and/or rural students and educators in North Carolina. 

 “Partners like Duke Energy Foundation help NCSO expand STEM education to teachers and students regardless of their background,” NCSO Executive Director Kim Gervase said.

North Carolina Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization with the mission to attract and retain the pool of K-12 students entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees and careers in North Carolina. Every year NCSO hosts tournaments on university, community college and public school campuses across the state.