(Posted April 19, 2004)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Students from 70 high schools and middle schools in Pennsylvania will be examining forensic clues from a simulated crime scene, firing rockets into the air, and exploring the world of science at the 2004 Pennsylvania Science Olympiad Finals to be held on the campus of Juniata College, Friday, April 23.
This will be the 13th year Juniata College has hosted the state finals.

"Juniata is hosting this year's National Science Olympiad, so this state competition will be great test run for the national competition," says Ron Pauline, associate professor 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 in the state."

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, Huntingdon Area High School the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center and the lawn behind Ellis College Center.
The 2004 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 23 state finals will go on to compete in the Science Olympiad National Tournament held at Juniata, May 22.

The Science Olympiad brings out the talents, resourcefulness and skills of the top young scientific minds in the state 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.

Other events include Mission Possible, where students build Rube Goldberg-style devices to demonstrate scientific principles; Robo-Billiards; and Science Crime Busters, where students identify various substances in a simulated crime scene.
Other events test knowledge and skills in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, entomology, 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.