FIRST SCIENCE OLYMPIAD SET

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The first Science Olympiad for Southeast Missouri will be held Saturday with six teams from five schools competing.

The contest will be held at Southeast Missouri State University. Teams are from Kelly, Charleston, Farmington, Fredericktown and Arcadia Valley.

Lou Graftenreed, science teacher from Arcadia Valley, said the Olympiad generates enthusiasm for science among students. The teacher has taken teams to state competition in the past.

The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education through classroom activities, research, training workshops and tournaments.

The Science Olympiad tournaments are academic interscholastic competitions which consist of about 23 individual and team events.

The competitions follow the format of popular board games, television show and athletic games.

Questions come from fields of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology.

Questions also test knowledge of science facts, concepts, processes, skills and applications.

The upcoming Olympiad at Southeast has been supported by businesses, organizations and individuals who have donated money, equipment and time. Many judges will be local business people.

Graftenreed said: "In areas of Missouri where the Science Olympiad is established, students are more motivated and improve their grades in all classes. Students look forward to enrolling in science classes and show a renewed interest in learning.

"Our nation needs young minds developing to their greatest potential, particularly in science and technology," he said.