University News
2007 Science Olympiad
January 30, 2007
MACOMB, IL -- On Saturday, Feb. 10 more than 250 middle/junior high and high school students will have the opportunity to demonstrate a variety of scientific skills at the 20th annual Western Illinois Regional Science Olympiad at Western Illinois University.
Students will compete in events such as "Storm the Castle," "Scrambler," "Robot Ramble" and "Wright Stuff," which demonstrate the students scientific process skills. In the "Wright Stuff" event, which will be held in Brophy Hall Gym beginning at 9 a.m., students construct a rubber band-powered airplane with the goal of having the longest flight time. In the "Scrambler" event, which begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Horrabin Hall gym, students will test a device that can carry an egg closest to a wall without hitting the wall and scrambling the egg.
Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their academic knowledge as well as science process skills in events like "Road Scholar" and "Designer Genes." Events dealing with health science, ecology oceanography and astronomy will also be held.
Teams will also have the opportunity to compete in the "Balloon Race," which begins at 9 a.m. in the University Union Grand Ballrom, where students will create a basket and attach it to a helium balloon to see if they can create the balloon with the longest ascent time.
The Science Olympiad begins with opening ceremonies in the Grand Ballroom at 8 a.m. Events will be held in Horrabin, Currens, Waggoner and Brophy halls throughout the day. The Olympiad's closing ceremonies will be held at 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom where individual events' winners will be announced as well as the announcement of teams advancing to the Illinois Science Olympiad State Tournament, which will be held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign April 21.
The Western Illinois Regional Science Olympiad is hosted by the department of curriculum and instruction's Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center and the College of Education and Human Services. Additional support is obtained by the faculty and students of the departments of biological sciences, chemistry, geology, kinesiology, mathematics and physics.
The following schools will participate:
FULTON COUNTY
Canton High School; Farmington High School; Lewistown High School (Division C, grades 9-12)
Farmington Jr. High School (Division B, grades 6-9)
Ingersoll Middle School, Canton (Division B, grades 6-9)
HANCOCK COUNTY
Hamilton High School (Division C, grades 9-12)
Hamilton Middle School (Division B, grades 6-9)
HENDERSON
West Central Junior High School, Stronghurst (Division B, grades 6-9)
MASON COUNTY
Illini Central High School, Mason City (Division C, grades 9-12)
MCDONOUGH COUNTY
West Prairie High School, Sciota (Division C, grades 9-12)
Macomb Junior High School (Division B, grades 6-9)
MENARD COUNTY
PORTA High School, Petersburg (Division C, grades 9-12)
PORTA Jr. High School, Petersburg (Division B, grades 6-9)
PEORIA COUNTY
Illini Bluffs Middle School, Glasford (Division B, grades 6-9)
PIKE COUNTY
Griggsville-Perry Middle School (Division B, grades 6-9)
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
Rockridge Junior High School, Taylor Ridge (Division B, grades 6-9)
SANGAMON COUNTY
Rochester High School (Division C, grades 9-12)
TAZEWELL COUNTY
Pekin Community High School (Division C, grades 9-12)
Beverly Manor Jr. High School, Washington (Division B, grades 6-9)
WARREN COUNTY
Monmouth-Roseville High School (Division C, grades 9-12)
The Science Olympiad was created in 1983 by Gerard J. Putz and Jack Cairns to increase the interest in science and as an alternative to traditional science fairs and single-discipline tournaments. Today, the Olympiad has members in all 50 states totaling more than 12,000 actively participating K-12 schools.
For more information, contact Don Powers, Western Illinois Regional Science Olympiad director and WIU professor of curriculum and instruction, at 309/298-1258.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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