Middle School Science Olympiad marks the beginning of competitive science at Shipley. Open to students in grades six through eight, this team-based program blends hands-on problem solving with real-world application, inspiring students to explore engineering, physics, biology, and beyond. At the heart of it all is John Harris, Shipley’s Middle School STEAM teacher. With decades of real-world engineering experience under his tool belt, Harris doesn’t hand out answers—instead, he guides students to trust their intuition and encourages them in their exploration to solve problems independently. His classroom, filled with 3D printers, laser engravers, and countless tools for building, is more than just a workspace—it’s a creative hub where every challenge is seen as a solvable puzzle.

The team is supported by a dedicated group of teachers, including Middle School science teacher Ace Schwarz and Upper School STEAM teacher Jennifer Devlin, who also coaches the Upper School team—connecting students across divisions. Families pitch in, too, with parents and older siblings sharing their time and expertise to support the team, from fine-tuning a projectile launcher to helping solve design challenges. This year, the team’s hard work paid off with a 13th-place finish at the Pennsylvania State Competition—no small feat in one of the nation’s most competitive regional contests.