February 27, 2004

Media MEMO To: News editors, photo editors, assignment editors From: Pat Pyke, Boise State communications and marketing, 426-1987, ppyke@boisestate.edu Subject: Excellent photo ops and stories March 6 at Science Competition Day Date: February 26, 2004 In this season of high-stakes high school championship competitions, more than 300 teen scientists from around Idaho will compete in the 37th annual Science Competition Day at Boise State University on Saturday, March 6. The top prizes are two $18,000 four-year scholarship offers from Boise State. Hopping back into the event lineup after a yearlong hiatus will be the high-jumping Mousehopper (see below), which will add to the excellent photo opportunities available at Science Competition Day. With an increasing regional focus on math and science education, the inventive creations and achievements of these young people will likely be interesting to your readers and viewer Mousehopper. A high-jumping contest will be held with devices powered by a mousetrap as their sole source of energy. Minimum qualification height will be 40 centimeters. Earthquake Tower Competition. Towers made of flat toothpicks and white glue must support a standard load while being shaken by a vibrating platform. Bridge Building Contest. Bridges made of flat toothpicks and white glue must span 45 centimeters and support a 1.47 kilogram brick (3.25 pounds). ProbleMATHon. Teams apply their creativity, problem-solving abilities and originality to develop solutions to five math problems in this timed event. Math/Geosciences Building, Room 113. In the morning Science Competition Day will also include written exams on biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics, physics, engineering and scientific reasoning. Medals and plaques will be awarded to top finishers. Recipients may be sophomores, juniors or seniors; however, only seniors are eligible for the full-tuition scholarship. Science Competition Day is co-sponsored by Boise State and the Micron Foundation. For more information visit http://coen.boisestate.edu/sciday or contact physics professor William Smith at 426-3483 or wsmith@boisestate.edu, or mechanical engineering professor Joe Guarino at 426-3042, jguarino@boisestate.edu. Also, please feel free to call me.