Polk County High School students brought home a handful of medals Saturday from the North Carolina Science Olympiad, the annual test of science knowledge across a wide range of topics held on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

PCHS students earned five medals, each signifying a top-10 finish, while competing against students representing more than 100 public, private and charter schools across the state.

Students from Polk County Middle School also competed and fared well, earning three top-15 finishes. PCHS and PCMS earned berths in the team competition by finishing in the top three at the Asheville Regional tournament in March.

“It is a pleasure to work with a group of students who exhibit dedication, kindness and consideration,” said Polk County High School science teacher Jennifer Allsbrook, who has been the school’s Science Olympiad coach since 2001.

“It amazes me that students stay positive under the grueling conditions of the two-day trip. Travelling seven hours in a bus, eating, sleeping and then starting competition by 8 a.m. the next morning is not an ideal way to enter into a competition, but the students rise to the challenge.

“I am also very lucky to have the support of my principal and superintendent who provide the financial support necessary to make this trip a reality.”

North Carolina School of Science and Math won the high school team competition, with Enloe Magnet High School in Raleigh placing second and North Mecklenburg High in Charlotte taking third.

Polk County Middle earned 12th in Wright Stuff, 13th in Dynamic Planets and 15th in Reach for the Stars.

Piedmont Open IB Middle School in Monroe won the middle school team competition, followed by Carnage Magnet Middle School in Raleigh and Jay M Robinson Middle School in Charlotte.

Science Olympiad offers students a chance to compete in 23 team events, some involving subject tests, some involving building devices, some involving both.

Submitted by PolkStudents.com