The 2009 Illinois State Finals Competition will be held Saturday, April 25

For a number of years, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been the host site of the Illinois Science Olympiad State Finals Competition. The program is part of a national competition in which middle and high schools compete in 23 events covering science concepts and engineering skills. The day is full of academic competition, spiced with the spirit of an athletic event. Approximately 1,100 of the top technical students from around Illinois will be visiting our campus that weekend, not to mention the very enthusiastic families, friends, teachers, volunteers, and associated school groups. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a quality impression on terrific students who may well attend the UIUC in the future, as well as promoting effective outreach to many Illinois communities. A number of outstanding students presently on the UIUC campus are past participants in this or similar events, and note the Science Olympiad as contributing to their initial technical and scientific interests. The high school events include areas such as cell biology, water quality, chemical analysis, bottle rockets, and tower building. The middle school events include experimental design, crime science, astronomy, the science of fitness, and bridge building. Departments are encouraged to provide information pertaining to undergraduate admissions, science camps, summer programs, and any other related initiatives. These materials will be made available to event participants and other visitors. There is no better way to promote the world class UIUC campus to the 'best-of-the-best' science, engineering, and mathematics students from Illinois, as well as promoting this outstanding partnership with schools from many regions of Illinois.