Pair of MMI Preparatory School students win Pennsylvania Science Olympiad medals

Two MMI Preparatory School students placed in the top five at the recent Pennsylvania Science Olympiad, which was held at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Freshmen Cole Wenner and John Malay both received a fourth-place medal in the mid-school division during the competition. MMI also had a team compete in the prep school category. Wenner is the son of Darren and Tracy Wenner of Lehighton, and Malay is the son of John and Kathryn Malay of Jim Thorpe.

MMI had one prep school and one middle school team compete at the event.

The Pennsylvania Science Olympiad (PASO) was founded in 1985 and has grown from a field of 30 teams competing in one place to more than 300 teams meeting in six regional locations across the state. The organization is devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education.

The competition increases the quality of science education at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels by providing learning opportunities and hosting regional and state tournaments. Currently, more than 8,000 students and more than 800 teachers from 300 middle and high schools participate in PASO, along with more than 1,000 faculty, staff, and college student volunteers.