In what years did Albert Einstein, Alexander Fleming, Max Planck, Ernest Rutherford, Francis Crick and James Watson win their Nobel Prizes?

Asking high school students to slot in a series of responses tests their knowledge of science history. Telling them how many they got right and timing them while they switch their answers also tests their ability to solve logic puzzles.

It was one of a series of challenges devised by teacher candidates for Science Olympiad, Tuesday at the University of Windsor. The event pits teams from local high schools in competition, racing from station to station across campus to complete problems in every branch of science.

“We had such a good time,” said Rachel Whaley of Leamington District High School, whose team finished third overall in the competition. “My favourite event was the chemistry challenge.”

Jordynne Lowe, a third-year concurrent education major, designed the chemistry event, which she described as “a sort of hands-on Jeopardy,” with the questions derived from Ontario’s grade 11 and 12 science curriculum.

“It was really a good refresher in high school science,” said Lowe, who hopes to teach the subject once she graduates. “The best part was watching how much fun the kids had.”

In the end, a team from Vincent Massey Secondary School carried the day, earning a total 784 of a possible 800 points. Each member of the winning team received an offer of a $500 scholarship to attend the University of Windsor, along with individual medals and a trophy.

And Nobel Prizes were won by Albert Einstein in 1921, Alexander Fleming in 1945, Max Planck in 1918, Francis Crick and James Watson in 1962, and Ernest Rutherford in 1908.

Education student Ciprian Munteanu plays the quizmaster during a trivia challenge at Science Olympiad.

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman (centre) congratulates members of Massey’s winning squad: Vinay Jayachandiran, Sirai Shen, Arjun Balachandar, Katherine Vrantsidis, Sean Lu and Kevin Rupasinghe.