May 6, 2009

Contact:

Tunisia Williams, 706-737-1877 (W), 706-993-8327 (H); twilliams@aug.edu
Kathy Schofe, 706-737-1878 (W), 706-739-0964 (H); kschofe@aug.edu

For immediate release

ASU to host 25th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament

Augusta, Ga. - Some of the top science students from middle and high schools throughout the nation will converge at Augusta State May 15-16 for the 25th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament. About 5,000 participants, coaches, family members, and volunteers from nearly every state will be coming to Augusta for the competitions that will be held on campus and at several venues throughout the city including St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic School, the Episcopal Day School, and the gyms at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church and Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church.

Teams from nearly every state, up to 15 students per team, will compete in 46 different events that test knowledge and application in all areas of science and engineering. In two separate divisions for middle school and high schools, students compete in such events as Dynamic Planet, Junkyard Challenge, Disease Detectives, Bio Process, Forensics, and Experimental Design.

Registrations will begin on Thursday, May 14, and early arrivals will be treated to demonstrations and exhibits from ASU departments, the University System of Georgia, and the International Disc Golf Association. Demonstrations and presentations from the above will continue on the 15th and be joined by National Science Center Mobile Discovery Center, Georgia Southern University Raptor Center, and Medical College of Georgia Telemedicine.

The opening ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m., May 15, at the James Brown Arena with a parade of states. Sponsors for the event at Augusta State include AT&T; the City of Augusta; Georgia Power/Southern Company; PCS Nitrogen; Savannah River Nuclear Solutions; WFXG Fox 54; WJBF, News Channel 6; Bridgestone Firestone of South Carolina; CH2M Hill; Energy Solutions; Johnson, Laschober & Associates; Lockheed Martin; Washington Group International; and the ASU Foundation.

Dr. William Wellnitz, professor of biology and the state director of the Science Olympiad program, is the tournament director. For more information, he may be contacted at 706-731-7993 or visit the university’s SONC website at www.aug.edu/nso/ .