(Posted April 22, 2013)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Students from 70 high schools and middle schools across Pennsylvania will try to get cars powered by mousetraps to move in a straight line, construct an insulated device designed to retain heat and build a ramp and vehicle using gravitational force as a "power source" at the 2013 Pennsylvania Science Olympiad Finals to be held on the campus of Juniata College, Friday, April 26.

This will be the 22nd year Juniata College has hosted the state finals.

This will be the 22nd year Juniata College has hosted the state finals.

The students will compete 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 Hall.

The 2013 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 27 state finals will go on to compete in the Science Olympiad National Tournament at the Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, May 17-18.

The Science Olympiad nurtures the ingenuity and inspiration of young science students as teams create a variety of science competitions in 23 events. The events, which can involve individuals or teams, allow students to think quickly and decisively while building an elaborate project.

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.