Olliver stands with pride alongside his project display while holding the second place trophy for chemistry at the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair
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Like many of his fellow students at Lakewood High School, Olliver Petkac has long been fascinated with the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the natural world. “Collecting gemstones, fossils, and rocks has been a hobby of his since we can remember,” according to Olliver’s parents. So when students in Olliver’s ninth-grade accelerated geophysics course were given an assignment to create a science project requiring original research, Olliver didn’t think twice about which topic to choose for his project. “I knew I wanted to heat treat crystals and gemstones to see if I could change either their color or their clarity. It was the only project that I wanted to investigate,” Olliver said. Olliver and his classmates were faced with the challenges of brainstorming ideas, collecting data, taking measurements, and making conclusions. Such tasks challenge the budding high school scientist.

Objections from his teacher that the project would be too difficult to undertake for a high school student did not sway Olliver. He had done prior experiments at his home growing up, using a variety of heat treatment methods, such as a propane lighter and his mother’s oven, even collecting detailed findings about color changes and clarity of gemstones upon heating. So when his teacher raised objections several times that the project was not feasible, Olliver was not discouraged.

He did extensive research and collected data during winter vacation. Olliver became frustrated when he discovered that he could not get access to a gemstone kiln (the device used by jewelers to heat treat gemstones) and almost scrapped his idea. Still determined, he did more research and found primitive yet viable ways to carry out his experiments. Olliver’s methods, included the building of both his own forge for use with a propane torch and a charcoal oven that was able to sustain a temperature of over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 hours. Thanks to LHS art teacher Todd Urban, he was allowed access to the ceramic kiln in order to carry out a third set of experiments. The stones Olliver used were clear quartz crystals, rough amethyst, citrine, and rough rubies. A total of 56 stones were divided into 6 test groups for the purpose of learning which stones, if any, incurred changes in either color or clarity under various conditions. Olliver evaluated which conditions could be predicted and/or controlled to produce specific colors and effects. “The project was hard, sometimes frustrating, but I would do it again…because of the great satisfaction in doing something I love.”

In February of 2008, Olliver Petkac’s science project was one of only 5 chosen from LHS to be displayed at the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSF) which was held at Cleveland State University. According to his teacher, Olliver’s project was chosen from Lakewood High School based upon the originality of his idea.

During the week of March 10th, judging and presentation of awards took place. There were close to 600 projects accepted and on display that week. Olliver knew that he would be required to stand by his project for over 3 hours while judges approached him with a barrage of questions. Armed with only a notebook, pen, and guts, the student let the judges know of his disability, voluntarily, and for the first time in his life. Olliver has a profound hearing loss in both ears, using hearing aids to help him in his daily communication with others. Self-disclosure of hearing loss is often times difficult and is an important step in self-advocacy for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. This may be partly due to the invisible nature of hearing loss itself and lack of public understanding of the impact of hearing loss on social interaction. With knowledge of this student’s hearing loss, several judges wrote comments in a notebook, not knowing perhaps, how the student would respond. Those who wrote their questions were surprised when Olliver answered them verbally, clearly, and in great detail.

On the evening of March 13th, 2008, Olliver was called five times to collect prizes and awards. By the close of the event, he received a cash prize, a chemistry book, a Barnes & Noble gift card worth $50.00, an award for best materials project, and, most impressively, 2nd place in the category of chemistry. Afterward, when asked by a CSU staff member if it was as scary as he imagined it would be, the student shrugged and said “No. It was nothing, really”.

This summer, he and his family plan to take a trip to Ruby City, North Carolina where he will spend 2 to 3 days mining his own gemstones. “I can’t wait. The coolest part will be watching the miners blow up small sections of caves.” Olliver’s other interests include art, painting, photography, playing basketball, and playing video games.

I met Olliver when he was three years and his family was looking for a baby-sitter. In baby-sitting Olliver, throughout my high school career, I had the pleasure of connecting with a very creative, imaginative individual, who has become a great friend. It is my experience with Olliver that led me to graduate work in audiology and great interest in working with children who have hearing loss.

Olliver's success in academics and life can provide hope and inspiration for other families and individuals adjusting to hearing loss. His accomplishments in science demonstrate that love of knowledge and life cannot be contained, only challenged by such life situations. Without a doubt,in meeting his challenge, Olliver is soaring to the top of his class.