Science Olympiad and FIRST Robotics held together

For the first time, Grand Valley State University will be hosting two of its most widely attended events — The 2013 Region 12 Michigan Science Olympiad and FIRST Robotics Competition — on the same day, Saturday, March 23.

Science Olympiad
This is Grand Valley’s 29th year hosting the regional tournament that will bring middle and high school students from almost 70 schools in Kent and Ottawa counties together to show off their science and mathematics skills. The tournament consists of events in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, computers and technology. The 2013 tournament is promoting the International Year of Statistics with scheduled statistical activities and a statistical scavenger hunt.

Michigan Science Olympiad Region 12 Tournament
Saturday, March 23
8:30-9 a.m. Opening ceremony
9:15 a.m.-3:05 p.m. Events
4:30-6 p.m. Awards ceremony
Kelly Family Sports Center/GVSU Allendale Campus
Public is invited to attend open events

For a complete schedule of Science Olympiad events and participating schools, visit www.gvsu.edu/mso-r12 or contact co-chairs Karen Meyers and Margo Dill at Grand Valley’s Regional Math and Science Center at (616) 331-2267.

FIRST Robotics Competition
Nearly 1,000 students on 41 high school teams from across the state will gather at Grand Valley to compete in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition. Teams had six weeks to design and build robots, which can weight up to 150 pounds, for the competition. FIRST Robotics helps students get hands-on experience solving real-world problems and discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology careers.

FIRST West Michigan District Competition
March 22-23
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fieldhouse Arena
Allendale Campus
The event is free and open to the public

The event is sponsored by the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing at Grand Valley. Complete information, including a detailed schedule and a list of teams, is available at www.firstinmichigan.org. The 2013 season includes an estimated 2,548 teams — nearly 51,000 high school students — participating in 58 regional and district events worldwide. FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Learn more at www.usfirst.org.