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Science Olympiad Brings Regional Students to Campus

February 27, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - More than 250 students descended upon Western Illinois University for the Western Illinois University Regional Science Olympiad on Saturday, Feb. 21.

This regional event is part of the National Science Olympiad, which sees students compete for the chance to move on to the state competition. Students from 14 high schools and eight middle schools or junior highs were on campus for a thrilling event that saw projects covering engineering, biology, chemistry, physics and more.

The Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center has hosted the event since the 1988-89 school year.

"Due to the support from faculty, staff, and the entire WIU community this past weekend's Olympiad went very well," WIU professor emeritus and science olympiad regional director Don Powers said. "It appeared that all the students enjoyed competing."

This year the top six teams in the high school division and the top 5 teams in the middle/junior high school division advanced.

The advancing teams were:
High School (C Division) - Farmington Central High School; Dunlap High School; Macomb High School; Liberty High School; East Peoria Community High School; and Canton High School.

Middle/Junior (B Division) - Farmington Central High School; Liberty Junior High School; LaHarpe Elementary School; Canton Ingersoll Middle School; and Carthage Middle School.

A Spirit Award in each division is also awarded. This year Liberty Junior High School won the Spirit Award in the B Division and Dunlap High School won the Spirit Award in the C Division.

James LaPrad, director of the School of Education at WIU said this was a great opportunity to expose students to all ranges of scientific fields and give them a chance to do so on a regional campus.

"These events excite kids about science," LaPrad said. "I think they're great opportunities to get kids excited about different types of fields in science and engineering."

For more information on the WIU Regional Science Olympiad, visit go.wiu.edu/46qeeCm.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing