TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama will host a regional Science Olympiad for middle and high school students on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m.

Some 500 students are expected to participate with events held in several locations around campus, including the Biology Building, Gallalee Hall, Hardaway Hall, and the Bevill Energy, Mineral, and Material Research Building.

Some of the events scheduled are Balloon Race, Bridge Building, Dynamic Planet, Mission Possible, Reach for the Stars and Science Crime Busters. Outdoor events, such as an egg drop and a bottle rocket launch, will take place on Woods Quad and the main Quad. Several science lab competitions, including chemistry and physics, will also take place during the day.

The Science Olympiad awards will be presented at 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Ballroom. The Science Olympiad is co-directed by UA’s College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences. The UA College of Engineering is coordinating the event this year.

Schools participating in this year’s event include: Bumpus Middle School, Carver Magnet School for Mathematics, Science and Technology, Hewitt-Trussville Junior High School, Hillcrest Middle and High Schools, Hoover High School, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate, John Carroll Catholic High School, Meek High School, Minor High School, Muscle Shoals Middle and High Schools, Our Lady of the Valley, Pelham High School, Pleasant Grove High School, Shades Valley High School, Simmons Middle School, Spain Park High School, St. James Middle and High Schools, Trinity Presbyterian School, Tuscaloosa County High School and Wellborn High School.

For more information and a complete schedule of the competition, contact the UA College of Engineering’s student services office at 205/348-1598.