Team A
Jennifer Yang (12)
What events do you participate in?
“[I am in] Anatomy and Physiology, Disease Detectives, Cell Biology and Scrambler.”
As we know, Team A placed second overall! What was the most exciting or challenging part of the Bulls SciOly (BullSO) Invitational this year?
“The most difficult part of this invitational this year was that because it was a satellite invitational, we needed to schedule and record for all building events. I remember that we stayed until fairly late in the Wilson gym to record for those events. Although it was stressful, it was an enjoyable experience.”
What is your best strategy when preparing?
“Before invitationals, I like to pull all-nighters with my partners to prepare for my study events. During this time, I review my notes and take practice tests with them.”
How has becoming captain impacted your Science Olympiad experience?
“Being the captain this year has definitely given me a greater leadership role within the team compared to being a cabinet member last year. If anything, it has made this competitive season even more meaningful to me. Being captain has pushed me to work harder to not only set an example for the rest of the team but to also help our team accomplish our goals for this season.”
What is your most intriguing science fun fact?
“Objects are more likely to become stuck in your right bronchus than your left.”
Team A
Annabel Wen (11)
What events do you participate in?
“[I participate in] Chem Lab, Dynamic Planet, Environmental Chem and Forensics.”
Overall, Team A performed very well, placing second at the invitational. Are there any improvements you hope to make to ensure you and your team accomplish even more next time?
“Yes! After competing at this invitational, I learned that I need to work on my pacing and carefully choose which questions I need to focus on. I also learned which events I should spend more time on, so I have been focusing on said events.”
What has been the most challenging or nerve-wracking part of your events or competing?
“The most nerve-wracking part of competing might just be clicking start (to start the test) and seeing that the test is super long, because then you are hit with the knowledge that there is NO WAY you are going to finish the test.”
Compared to last year, have there been any major changes in the competition format? Are you excited to compete in person again?
“There have not really been any major changes in a competition format, besides the lack of special rules that accommodate for social distancing. Yes! I am excited to compete in person again! It should be a lot of fun (and a lot easier to take tests, since we will not have to go through the hassle of scrolling back and forth to answer certain questions).”
What is your favorite pasta shape?
“Ravioli. You can put fillings inside, and then put sauce on top! Plus I have eaten a lot of ravioli before and I always like it (which does not really have much to do with the pasta shape, but whatever). Ravioli can also be ridiculously large or super small, which is kind of funny.”
Team A
Kenny Liu (11)
What events do you participate in?
“[I participate in] It’s About Time, WiFi Lab, Trajectory and Astronomy.”
How did you feel finding out Team A placed second overall?
“Being second is a great start to the year that the team definitely feels proud about but there is room for improvement. The team who got first was the same team that just barely beat us last year in state competition.”
How has this BullSO Invitational compared to your previous years in Science Olympiad?
“Like I said, it was a much stronger start compared to other years.”
Which event is your most intense?
“It’s About Time and Trajectory to me were the most intense mostly due to the build portion of the events. Device testing is very stressful because if anything goes wrong, you can possibly fail the entire event (there is no undoing like in a written test). If I had to pick the more stressful one, Trajectory takes the crown because I have to aim a catapult at a target usually while my goggles begin to fog up and obscure my vision.”
If you could pick one job to do forever while being guaranteed all the money you need, what job would it be?
“As a person doing literally every single physics event, of course I would want to be an engineer, especially one in the 3D modeling and printing industry since I have a 3D printer myself and I love using it for literally everything. Sometimes, I think about maybe even using it for some artistic endeavor.”
Team B
Angelo Duenas (11)
What events do you participate in?
“I participate in Flight, Scrambler, Trajectory and Wifi Lab.”
How have you felt experiencing the invitationals for the first time?
“Invitationals were a major assessment of what I was able to accomplish under real pressure, regardless of how much time I have prepared. I do not see these competitions as a reflection of the time and effort I spent, but more on what weaknesses I have seen and how I can better prepare for the next one. Since the first invitational, I have felt more motivated to get really good at my events more than feeling satisfied or discouraged.”
Rank your events from least complicated to most complicated.
“From least complicated to most complicated, I would say Trajectory, Scrambler and Flight are around the same complexity, and Wifi Lab being the most complicated of the four. Granted, the first three are build events. Once the contraption is built, it is only a matter of practicing, persistently making adjustments, and more practice. Other than necessary math and building, Scrambler requires precision, Flight requires delicacy, and Trajectory requires imagination. Wifi Lab implements more participation and trust in each partner.”
Why is the sky blue?
“Color itself is a wavelength of visible light, with blue having wavelengths between 450 to 495 nanometers. The sky is blue [during the day] because the sky can be compared to a prism, [since] they scatter light. As shorter wavelengths travel less distance, blue light scatters much more quickly, turning the sky blue. The sky should actually be violet since violet has an even shorter wavelength, but the sun emits a much higher concentration of blue light as opposed to violet. The prism scattering is known as the Rayleigh scattering.”
Who is your favorite teacher?
“Who I personally find most likable and who I have reached out to before concerning matters both regarding and apart from school is Mr. Ro. Along with being a key figure in the Wilson career pathway and having his class every year as a result of my pathway, I would rank Mr. Ro as my favorite teacher.”
Team A
Nathan Chen (10)
What events do you participate in?
“I participate in Detector Building, Remote Sensing and Fermi Questions.”
In your opinion, what was your most accomplished moment in the BullSO Invitational?
“My most accomplished moment in the BullSO Invitational would be when testing my device for Detector Building and it worked properly. This felt accomplished since I had poured quite some time into assembling the device and properly calibrating it. It was rewarding to have it all paid off.”
How did you react upon finding out Team A placed second overall?
“I was pretty happy. I was not expecting our team to have such a strong start at the beginning of the season. It was a welcome surprise.”
Which event do you dedicate the most time to?
“I have dedicated the most time to Detector Building. Part of the event requires us to design, assemble and code a device, which is time-consuming.”
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“When I was a child, I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up. I was pretty interested in space around that time.”
Team B
Ella Mak (10)
What events do you participate in?
“I am in three events: Anatomy, Green Generation and Experimental Design. In Anatomy, I focus on the digestive, respiratory and immune systems. Green Generation has a wide range of subjects focusing on ecology. [Also,] Experimental Design, which is my favorite event, allows you to design an experiment when given limited materials and a topic to experiment on.”
Why did you choose to join Science Olympiad?
“I chose to join Science Olympiad because it has been my passion for many years. Science has always fascinated me since I was five years old; I have been involved in Science Olympiad since elementary school. Being in the Science Olympiad team allows me to explore different subjects in science, and it allows my interest in science to grow! Science Olympiad also allows you to meet many people who share the same passion in science!”
Were you excited for any part of the BullSO Invitational?
“I was very excited for the BullSO Invitational because it was the first invitational of the Science Olympiad season. It is always an exhilarating feeling to get back into the competition, and competing allows me to know where I am compared to other students from different schools.”
How did you prepare for your events before the competition?
“Before the competition, I studied and practiced seven hours a week. The day before the test, I make sure I have a good rest so that my mind can be at its prime the next day. As I start my test, I take a deep breath and trust myself and my knowledge.”
Would you rather drink recycled water like astronauts for the rest of your life, or give up eating meat for the rest of your life?
“I would rather drink recycled water forever! Even though I love my veggies, I cannot imagine not eating any chicken or any other kind of meat for the rest of my life!”
Team B
Iris Lee (9)
What events do you participate in?
“I participate in Forensics, Dynamic Planet, Chemistry Lab and Write It Do It.”
What was your experience like participating in the BullSO Invitational?
“I had a great experience participating in the tournament. I was able to gain many new learning experiences and gain new bonds with my teammates.”
Are you looking forward to future competition events? In what ways?
“I am looking forward to more events in the future, as we will be able to compete in person and we can gain new experiences from that.”
If there was an obstacle before competitions, how did you overcome it?
“When faced with obstacles, I would try to overcome it by putting in more time to resolve that and asking others if I needed further help.”
Name a strange talent you have.
“A strange talent I have is that I can recite every SZA song ever.”
Team B
Skyler Lau (9)
What events do you participate in?
“[I participate in Astronomy, Remote Sensing and Rocks and Minerals.] In Astronomy, we study stars and other things such as nebulae or supernovae, collectively called ‘deep sky objects.’ We also study mysterious, mostly unknown objects such as neutron stars and gravitational waves. In Remote Sensing, we study satellites, their instruments and the processes that they monitor, such as climate change and the carbon cycle. In Rocks and Minerals, we study the different characteristics of a wide variety of rocks and minerals.”
During the BullSO Invitational, what moment did you find most rewarding?
“[A moment I found most rewarding was] knowing that a lot of my notes were actually useful during the test. It was my first time competing for the Wilson team and two of my events were new.”
Has there been a really good piece of advice you received before the competition?
“Print out your notes before the competition, not the day of.”
Which event do you want to improve in and how?
“I want to improve in Rocks and Minerals. I am not very strong at answering questions relating to rocks; I am better at answering questions relating to minerals.”
Would you rather keep your fingers or toes if they got caught in an experimental accident?
“Toes because my fingers are very useful. If I did not have fingers, I could not pick anything up or write, [among other things]. If I do not have toes, I might fall a lot, but at least I can still catch myself with my hands and fingers.”