​We are kicking off the Science Olympiad season with a strong start! The Science & Arts Academy Science Olympiad Team competed in their first invitational of the season earlier this month at British International School of Chicago. 

SAA students were treated to an afternoon with Artist Nicolosi, a top contemporary artist known for his signature Pop art portraits of many of today’s top luminaries in entertainment, sports, political and corporate arenas.

Nicolosi ’s friendship with "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee led to the creation of his documentary, Song of the Mockingbird: Monroeville Memories. Together he and 7th & 8th grade students watched the film after learning more about his work and life. Learn more about his documentary here. 

Nicolosi shared many words of wisdom with our students about the power of commitment, staying true to yourself and your gifts, and having the courage to pursue your talents and interests!

Inventor Steve Bayer and Patent Attorney Matt Dicke visited SAA students last week and shared stories with SAA students about the process of developing and pursuing an idea. Students participated in an exercise about patent law and how to obtain a patent.  

Congratulations to the SAA students who were recognized as top scorers at the 2018 Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 29! 

Approximately 11,500 gifted 3rd - 9th students from around the Midwest took above-grade level testing through NUMATS during the 2017-18 school year, and a couple hundred received awards at this ceremony.  SAA had a strong showing as usual and our recipients this year scored well in the PSAT 8/9 or ACT tests. 

The Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Board of Trustees of
Science & Arts Academy
have the distinct privilege of recognizing the
Graduating Class of 2018

​Students from the graduating class of 2018 will be attending the following high schools:
​
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Beacon Academy
Elgin Academy
Francis W. Parker School
Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook South High School
Lake Forest Academy
Loyola Academy
Maine East High School
Maine South High School
Northridge Preparatory School
Northside College Preparatory School
Rochester Adams High School
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

We were honored and proud to be part of the Science Olympiad National Competition which had been held this past weekend in Ft. Collins, Colorado.  Our varsity and trial event teams competed fiercely against the very best teams in the nation.  Parents and coaches were impressed with how well our students represented SAA.  Overall, there are nearly 4,000 middle school teams who participate in Science Olympiad throughout the year across the nation.  

Believe it or not, our tiny school ranked 18th overall!! 
​
​3-2-1 Kaboom!! 

Our 7th and 8th grade students did wonderfully at the Illinois History Day this past week! From our school’s History Fair, 3 group documentaries, 1 group exhibit, and 2 individual exhibits advanced to the state level. All of our submitted projects received superior ribbons - indicating a score of 98 or above. After making the run-offs in their respective categories, all scored in the top 5 of 100 projects in each category.

Two of our teams, one with a group exhibit and another with a group documentary, received 3rd place. Both of these teams are now alternate projects for the national competition.
 
One of our group documentaries entitled “The Women of the Haymarket Riot” won an award along with a cash prize from the Illinois Labor Historical Society. The president of the society had attended the presentation given by the students. Afterwards, a copy of the documentary was requested to be included in their historical archives.