On Saturday, Mar. 4, young science enthusiasts from Vancouver-area schools and as far north as the Quileute Tribal School in La Push, will convene on the Clark College main campus to compete in the 2017 Southwest Washington Regional Science Olympiad Tournament. The event is an international nonprofit organization that encourages engagement with science through fun, hands-on activities and events.

Teams from the region’s middle and high schools will compete in 48 different activities testing their ability to solve problems, communicate information, and creatively innovate. Students work in teams with coaches to prepare for their activities in the weeks prior to the tournament. A range of scientific disciplines including chemistry, microbiology, astronomy, engineering, and robotics will be represented at the event.

Competitions are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the the Team Cheers and Awards Ceremony will follow in the O’Connell Sports Center at 5 p.m.. This event is free and open to the public, though participation is limited to pre-registered contestants. Finalists from the regional Olympiad will go on to the state tournament at Highline College in Des Moines, WA, on April 15. For more information, contact Erin Harwood at eharwood@clark.edu.