May 27, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Sherrard
(202) 994-1423; mcs1@gwu.edu

2,000 SCIENCE STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN 2008 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AT GW

60 Events Featuring Robots, Vehicles, Gliders, and More
May 30-31, 2008

WHAT:

Some 2,000 middle and high school students will compete in the 24th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament as part of 120 teams from 46 states. The George Washington University, DuPont, and the Science Olympiad are presenting sponsors of the tournament. Events take place on GW's Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.

RSVP:

Please contact Michelle Sherrard at (202) 994-1423 or mcs1@gwu.edu. 

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lockheed Martin Flying Simulator
Marvin Center, 800 21st Street, NW

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
DuPont NASCAR Driving Simulator
Full-size NASCAR driving simulator with fully interactive, animated race game.
University Yard (between 20th and 21st streets and G and H streets, NW)

4 - 5:30 p.m.
Kick-off Celebration BBQ Dinner
(Tickets Required)
University Yard (between 20th and 21st streets and G and H streets, NW)
 
6 p.m.
Parade of States and Opening Ceremony
Keynote Speaker: Benjamin Carson Sr., MD, Johns Hopkins University
Two members from each team will participate in the parade and represent each of the 46 states, possibly dressed in costumes that represent their states.
(Tickets Required; Doors Open at 5 p.m.)
Charles E. Smith Center, 600 22nd Street, NW

8 p.m. -or- immediately following the Opening Ceremony
Swap Meet and Ice Cream Social
Kogan Plaza and Mid-Campus Quad (between G and H streets and 21st and 22nd streets)

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Event Competitions
56 competitive and trial events, many open for viewing.

Visual-events on Foggy Bottom Campus (Regular Events)

Balloon Launch Glider
Lerner Health and Wellness Center, 3rd Floor Gym 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Scrambler (mechanical device to transport an uncooked egg along a straight track) 
Lerner Health and Wellness Center, Multipurpose Room (2nd Floor) 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Tower Building 
Lisner Auditorium 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Trajectory (Device capable of launching a projectile into a target) 
Lerner Health and Wellness Center, Squash Courts 1-3 (3rd Floor) 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Boomilever 
Lisner Auditorium 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Electric Vehicle 
Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom (3rd Floor) 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Robo-Cross 
Marvin Center Theatre (1st Floor) 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Robot Ramble 
Media and Public Affairs Building, Jack Morton Auditorium (1st Floor) 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Wright Stuff (Propelled aerodynamic device) 
Lerner Health and Wellness Center, 4th Floor Gym 
8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Visual-events on Mount Vernon Campus (Trial Events)

Airjectory 
Lloyd Gym 
8 - 11:30 a.m.

Junkyard Challenge 
Academic Building 100 
8 - 11:30 a.m.

Pentathlon 
Athletic Field 
8 - 11:30 a.m.

Flying Bird 
Lloyd Gym 
11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Junkyard Challenge 
Academic Building, Post Hall 
11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Visit http://scienceolympiad.gwu.edu for full list.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lockheed Martin Flying Simulator
Marvin Center, 800 21st Street, NW

11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
DuPont NASCAR Driving Simulator
Full-size NASCAR driving simulator with fully interactive, animated race game.
University Yard (between 20th and 21st streets and G and H streets, NW)

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
Winning teams will receive medals for each event for places first through sixth. Teams with the best total scores will receive trophies for places first through tenth.
(Tickets Required; Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.)
Charles E. Smith Center, 600 22nd Street, NW
 
Now in its 24th year, the Science Olympiad is an international, non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops, and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state, and national tournaments.

Located four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 countries.

For more information about the 2008 Science Olympiad National Tournament, visit http://scienceolympiad.gwu.edu.

For more news about GW, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

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