Students show science skills at Olympiad competition

The regional Science Olympiad was held Saturday at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, with winners going on to the state competition. Fifteen-member teams from 15 high schools and 16 middle schools from the North and West suburbs competed in 23 events.

"It's a good concept; its good for the kids, teaching them teamwork," said John Figlewicz who came up with the event in 1985 on his living room floor, and held the first one the next year at Wheeling High School.

Jim Grant, a teacher at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights and co-director for this year's regional competion, said he wants more students to be interested in science because of its positive impact on their lives. He said that these days, more girls are participating.

With medals hanging in the balance and bragging rights high on the list, the bottom line is to show how much fun science can be. Palatine High School sophomore Ryan Jannak-Huang said the event is an "outlet for creativity in science. It's stressful and fun."