Heartland AEA 11

6500 Corporate Dr.

Johnston, IA 50131-1603

2/9/00

Contacts:

Curt Jeffreys, Heartland AEA 11, (515) 270-9030, ext. 4321

Steve Jones, Heartland AEA 11 Communications, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4317

JOHNSTON, Iowa -- A mousetrap car and a student-powered water heater are two of the events for high school students at the Physics Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Des Moines.

Sixteen central Iowa high school teams will test their science abilities in the event sponsored by Heartland Area Education Agency and Drake University. The Physics Olympics begins at 9:30 a.m. at Drake's Olmsted Center.

Competition takes place in five events: mousetrap-powered car, toothpick bridge, self-propelled catapult, soda straw arm that supports a weight and a student-powered water heater. Winners will be eligible for the state physics competition April 4 in Cedar Rapids.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The Physics Olympics will be quite visual and will be good for video and photographs.

Ed Brown Bondurant-Farrar High School

Tom Oppelt Carroll High School

Carlotta Paul Dallas Center-Grimes High School

Mike Blair Des Moines Roosevelt High School

Dominic Giegerich Earlham High School

Ed Rezabek Glidden-Ralston High School

Cindy Anderson Martensdale-St. Marys High School

John Emerson Ogden High School

Bill Wright Panorama High School

Lee Zondervan Pella Christian High School

Mike Bechtel Saydel High School

Angela Kelso Southeast Warren High School

Mike Goudy Twin Cedars High School

Marc Hermon Urbandale High School

Nathan Speichinger West Des Moines Valley High School

John Hughes Winterset High School