[Glocal Connect] Olympians explore science with a renowned international scholar

In the last two days, Olympians from Grades 8, 10, and 11 embarked on a special journey of scientific discovery with Professor Randy L. Bell – a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Honorary Professor at Oregon State University. As the author of numerous science textbooks in collaboration with National Geographic, widely used around the globe, Professor Randy brought Olympians practical perspectives and an accessible approach to science. He ignited their curiosity and helped them see science as a journey of questioning and exploring the world around them.

The exploration began with magnets and the fascinating “Dancing Raisins” experiment. These activities sharpened students’ observation skills, encouraged them to build visual models, and sparked discussions on the significance of modelLing in science. Beyond predicting outcomes, Olympians strengthened their critical thinking and their ability to connect theory with real-world applications.

As this journey came to a close, what Olympians gained was more than scientific knowledge. They discovered a new perspective: science as an adventure of curiosity and creativity. This is the very value that international scholars like Professor Randy, together with the Purple School – Olympia, seek to nurture: inspiring passion and guiding students to conquer new horizons of knowledge.