2023 Science Olympiad State

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Cedar Springs Homeschool, our team, won second place in the Tennessee State Science Olympiad, held on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville. Our son won gold in Solar System and Crave the Wave. Our daughter won silver in Flight.

Teen cubing at Science Olympiad

Between events, in the homeroom

Teen girl Science Olympiad

Waiting between Flight and Bridge

We are proud of their achievements – overall, as a team, and individually. Our children did their part to help the team win second place out of the best 15 teams in the State of Tennessee. Continue reading »


Medals from Regionals

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The medals our team earned at the Regionals in Science Olympiad (SO) came in, finally. We forgive the organizers for forgetting to order them in time to distribute during the awards ceremony last month. It is hard to imagine how one would forget to order medals when one organizes a competition, but we will be gracious and give them our thanks for all their efforts in putting together such a massive effort as SO Regionals.

Claire with medals

Our daughter with her two golds from SO Regionals

Our son put his on – four golds and a bronze – but he did not want to be photographed. Then, he took them off. He said it felt good to have them, but not getting them on the day of competition took away from their aura. Continue reading »


2023 Science Olympiad Regionals

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Veni, vidi, vici. We came, we saw, we won. Our team, Cedar Springs Homeschool, beat Webb Middle School (a $20,000 per year private school) and several magnet schools from Chattanooga. Out of 23 events, we won 20 or 21. I cannot keep track.

Cedar Springs Homeroom

Cedar Springs Homeroom at Regionals

I wonder what goes through the minds of these parents who spend a fortune sending their children to Webb, when they see a homeschool team beat them by a lot.

If it sounds like I am gloating, allow me to redirect you to the song of victory which Deborah sings in Judges 5. There is a whole lot of gloating there and then some mocking of her enemy and – I kid you not! – his mamma. Anyway. I am not gloating, just stating facts. We won by a large margin.

Cedar Springs Homeschool Science Olympiad Team A

Cedar Springs Homeschool Science Olympiad Team A

The thing is, we did not even study that much. Now that we know we are going to State, the kids must do a whole lot more and they know it.

The life lessons from Science Olympiad count even more so than the scientific knowledge. Planning, executing, grit, pushing through when the going gets tough, communicating with the team and the coaches, controling your nerves, winning graciously (don’t scream too loudly when they announce you won gold again), applauding your competition etc etc.

Our son had five events, all written tests. He won gold in Codebusters, Crave the Wave, Dynamic Planet, and Solar System. He won bronze in Green Generation.

Our daughter had two events, both building something that does something. She won gold in both Bridge and Flight. It was really difficult for her because she had never built an airplane before and then she had to learn how to trim it.

She walked up to me after the awards ceremony and said, “It was worth it.” Our son is the team captain and he just put a long message in Slack, where we communicate with each other, telling the team that they can go to Nationals, but they have to study hard. And then he gave details on how they should have a daily routine etc.

State is in April at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I will definitely let you know what happens. Only the top team gets to go to Nationals, which are in May in Wichita, KS.


Dodgen Invitational, Science Olympiad

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Last week, our children participated in the Dodgen-Walton Science Olympiad Invitational, together with their team, Cedar Springs Homeschool. This invitational happens at the Walton High School in Marietta, GA. We compete against teams from public schools, private schools, magnet schools, charter schools, and there was another homeschool team, as well.

Cedar Springs Homeschool Team

Cedar Springs Homeschool Team for Science Olympiad

Invitationals are tough competitions which we attend in order to learn. We build on this experience. By the time we go to Regionals, State, and (hopefully) Nationals, we feel prepared. Continue reading »


Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse

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Every year, Cedar Springs Homeschool Support Group organizes a Thanksgiving Feast at the Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse in Maryville, TN. It happens on a Tuesday a few weeks before Thanksgiving, but the menu reflects the holiday. It starts us celebrating early.

Sam Houston Schoolhouse

Sam Houston Schoolhouse

The children get a tour of the schoolhouse, historical details on the life of Sam Houston, and demonstrations on how to make butter, candles, cornmeal etc. After the workshops, we have the meal, and then they play capture the flag. Some of the parents and coaches used to bring their children many years ago, so this tradition has been going on for years. Continue reading »


Lessons from the Twenty-First Week

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Last week, we started school back up, along with orchestra, violin lessons, taekwondo, and the Wild + Free Great Smoky Mountains hikes. We should have started piano as well, but what do you know? My car battery got drained mysteriously. The car would not start on the day of the piano lesson. We had to cancel and change the car battery first, before anything else.

W+F Picnic

Wild and Free group picnic, on the Gatlinburg Trail

It was really neat to be out in nature with our W+F group. The fellowship, the fresh air, sunshine, and relaxed pace really do the mind good. One of the moms told me about this book, “Mere Motherhood,” and later lent it to me. I am reading it and taking notes. It is that good. Continue reading »


2019 Science Olympiad

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This school year, our son joined a Science Olympiad team through Cedar Springs Homeschool Group. This is not a co-op, but a support group. Moms meet for monthly encouragement and to exchange ideas and insights. Then, their children have the opportunity to compete in different teams and events.

Boy with Science Olympiad medals

Our son and his two silver medals at Science Olympiad

Cedar Springs run a Spelling Bee and the winner goes to Regionals. For American Math Contest, they will arrange for a coach to help you teach your child and prepare for it. They can build a team if there is enough interest in the group. Continue reading »