STORY
SVA Students Excel at Andrews University SciFest Competition
October 1, 2025
Ohio Conference
In September, eight students from Spring Valley Academy traveled to Andrews University to take part in this year’s annual SciFest competition. Before the event began, the group enjoyed a meal at Baguette de France and then spent time bonding with students from other schools at the Natural History Museum and during a game night.
On Friday, the students divided into two teams and engaged in a series of STEM challenges in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Agriculture, and Engineering—all centered around the theme of space. The competitions tested their creativity and problem-solving skills, as students designed prototype batteries, identified star contents, explored water ecosystems, programmed human “robots,” solved mathematical space-related problems, and planned outdoor agricultural spaces. Through these activities, they not only gained knowledge but also developed a deeper appreciation for the spaces God has entrusted to us.
The weekend concluded with the quiz bowl, where both SVA teams demonstrated what they had learned. Their dedication and teamwork paid off, as the teams placed first and second in the competition.
Students reflected that while they discovered personal strengths in certain areas, they also recognized the value of relying on their teammates in others—showing the power of collaboration. For several students, this was their first time encountering specific areas of science, sparking new excitement and curiosity.
The experience was both rewarding and inspiring, and the SVA community celebrates the achievements of these students. Faculty and students alike look forward to seeing how God continues to nurture the seeds of curiosity, teamwork, and discovery planted during the weekend.
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