Young scientists get their shot during Science Olympiad

Student-built robots, towers, airplanes and catapults will be just a few of the scientific masterpieces up for display Saturday during the Illinois Science Olympiad's Regional Competition at College of DuPage.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 19 middle school teams and 19 high school teams will compete in 23 events that involve science and technology. At 4:30 p.m., awards will be given to the first- through fifth- place winners.

The top 17 teams from all schools will go to the Science Olympiad State Competition in April.

Regional Director Denise Kiesewetter has been a coach for nine years but is directing the competition for the first time this year.

"I think that just seeing what the kids have worked so hard on, and seeing them be able to display that and what they've learned -- that's probably the biggest satisfaction," she said.

While many individual competitions will be held in the gymnasium and will be open to the public throughout the day, others will be inside private classrooms and not open to the public.

The tournaments are put on by volunteers, consisting of science teachers, engineers, employees from various government agencies, parents and community members.

"I'm just looking forward to seeing everything come together and seeing how the teams do," she said.

The Science Olympiad is an international not-for-profit organization that focuses on increasing student interest in science.

If you go

What: Illinois Science Olympiad Regional Competition

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; awards begin at 4:30 p.m.

Where: College of DuPage's Physical Education Building

Cost: Free

Details: www.illinoisolympiad.org/regionals/cod/cod.shtml

Participants

Middle schools

Ss. Peter and Paul and Washington Junior High, Naperville; Bryan Middle School, Sandburg Middle School and Timothy Christian School, Elmhurst; Mead Junior High, Elk Grove Village; Wredling Middle School, St. Charles; Chippewa Middle School, Des Plaines; Park School, Round Lake

High schools

Benet Academy, Lisle; Glenbard East, Lombard; Glenbard North, Carol Stream; Glenbard South and Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn; Illinois Math and Science Academy, Aurora; Lake Park, Roselle; Naperville Central, Naperville; Prospect High School, Mount Prospect; Rolling Meadows High School, Rolling Meadows; Wheeling High School, Wheeling