Wright State hosts Science Olympiad Invitational

Over 800 middle school and high school students competed in 23 events in the Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament on the Wright State University campus on Feb. 6.

Events challenged participants to make and launch bottle rockets, build bridges and hovercrafts and solve forensic problems.

Science Olympiad tests middle and high school students’ ability to solve physics, engineering, math, biology and anatomy problems in complex hands-on and lab events. It involves teams of students from public and private schools who practice throughout the year and compete in regional and state tournaments and an annual national tournament.

“We hope the students take away a love for science,” said Eric Rowley, a physics lecturer and volunteer coordinator for the event.

Over 100 people volunteered at the invitational tournament. Organizers say that they’re anticipating more than 200 volunteers and 1,600 students when Wright State hosts the Science Olympiad National Tournament in May 2017.