(Posted April 25, 2007)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Students from 70 high schools and middle schools in Pennsylvania will design and build a vehicle using only an elastic band as propulsion, examine the chemistry of food, and delve into the mysteries of electric circuitry at the 2006 Pennsylvania Science Olympiad Finals to be held on the campus of Juniata College, Friday, April 28. This will be the 17th year Juniata College has hosted the state finals. \"Science Olympiad gives students across Pennsylvania a chance to see how Juniata\'s science facilities are the equal of any college in the state,\" says Ron Pauline, associate professor emeritus of education and Science Olympiad state tournament site director. \"We love to host the Science Olympiad because it gives faculty, students and staff a chance to work with some of the best science students.\" The students will take part in a variety of science projects across campus at sites such as the von Liebig Center for Science, Knox Stadium, the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center and the lawn behind Ellis College Center. The 2007 Science Olympiad begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day, ending with an awards ceremony at approximately 4:15 p.m. in the sport\'s center\'s main gym. More than 1,000 students will compete. Competitors are separated into two divisions: Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 9-12). Teams attending the state finals at Juniata qualified by finishing first or second at one of six regional competitions held in March. Teams finishing first or second in the April 25 state finals will go on to compete in the Science Olympiad National Tournament at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kan., May 18-19. The Science Olympiad brings out the talents, resourcefulness and skills of young scientists as teams create different science projects for competition in 23 events. The events, which can involve individuals or teams, allow students to think creatively while building an elaborate project. For example, in Storm the Castle, students must construct a machine capable of flinging a projectile a great distance, sort of like a medieval catapault. Other events include Mission Possible, where students build Rube Goldberg-style devices to demonstrate scientific principles; Awesome Aquifer, where students design and build a model aquifer; and Circuit Lab, where participants compete in activities centered around direct current electrical circuits.. Other events test knowledge and skills in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, and physics. Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and recognizing outstanding achievements in science education. For more information on the Science Olympiad, visit the Science Olympiad Web site: Juniata College also has a Web site dedicated to the event at http://projects.juniata.edu/scioly/.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.