Page 54 - 2018-PVPHS-PROSPECT-BOOK

StellarXplorers in Space-
Air Force Association
Hassan Twiet, Advisor

Inspires and attracts high school
students to pursue studies and careers
in space industry, and space system
design. Competition involving all
aspects of system development and
operation with a spacecraft/payload
focus solutions using Systems Tool
Kit (STK). Teams are asked for their
solutions to a typical space design
problem, such as orbit determination,
satellite component selection, and
launch vehicle planning, as outlined
in a scenario describing the system’s
mission and constraints.

Science Olympiad - Robert Snodgrass and Maureen Kealey, Advisors
Science Olympiad is one of the year. The competitions follow the format of science facts, concepts, processes,
premier science competitions in the of popular board games, TV shows, and skills, and science applications. In addition,
nation, providing rigorous, standards- athletic games. during the day there are open house
based challenges to 7,800 teams in activities that consist of science and
These challenging and motivational events
all 50 states. The Science Olympiad mathematics demonstrations, activities,
are balanced between the various science
tournaments are rigorous academic and career counseling sessions
disciplines of biology, earth science,
interscholastic competitions that consist conducted by professors and scientists
chemistry, physics, computers, and
of a series of individual and team events, at the host institution.
technology. They require knowledge
which students prepare for during the
Science Research “I focused my time at PVPHS into Science Research. Science Research is
Melissa Klose, Advisor a program with a lot of freedom that students do not usually get within
normal day-to-day schooling. I was able to work on many skills like self-
Science Research is a project-based
management and really focus on my interest. Although it can be demanding, it
course open to high school students will and has paid off immensely with those wishing to go into the science field.”
at every grade and curricular level. — Maxwell La Forest, Class of 2017
Science Research students study
a research topic of their choice in research at the annual PVPUSD Science of the last eight years, PVPHS research
conjunction with professional mentors Fair. Winners advance to the State level. students have won the Sweepstakes
and educators who have knowledge Research students also compete in Award for best project at the
in that field of study. A student may other national science fairs. Each year, Los Angeles County Science Fair.
conduct research for one year, although two students from PVPHS compete In 2012, a PVPHS student was named
many take research all four years of in the INTEL International Science “Student of the Year” at the California
high school. Research students have and Engineering Fair. For the past ten State Science Fair. In 2008, a PVPHS
won awards at the state, national, years, PVPHS students have won more research student won first place in the
and international levels. All research awards than any other school at the world at the prestigious Stockholm
students present the results of their Los Angeles County Science Fair. In five Junior Water Prize.

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