WHAT: Fourth- through sixth-graders from Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary School will test their science skills by competing at the Los Angeles County Elementary Science Olympiad on Saturday, March 4.

A total of 60 teams from Los Angeles County will clash in a showcase at Occidental College, where students will be challenged to execute experiments and perform during written tests. Categories such as Engineering Design, Egg Drop, Biomass, and Chopper Challenge will push each school to excel.

Rancho’s team of 15 will break into smaller groups for each challenge. Rancho earned silver medal at last year’s event and is looking to build on its performance while honing skills alongside fellow science enthusiasts from the county.

WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4

WHERE: Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

DETAILS: Rancho students have been preparing for the Science Olympiad this year through their Science Club, which meets weekly to simulate experiments and discuss concepts. The club is run by teachers Joe Nevarez and Armida Morris and is open to all fourth- through sixth-grade-grade students who work together in small groups to complete projects.

Rancho’s Science Club is preparing students for middle school where they will be immersed in science through the Los Nietos Middle School STEAM Academy. The diverse LNMS coursework allows students to explore math, art and science in a variety of ways that will represent the next level in their academic ambitions. Rancho Science club members were also among the nearly 400 students who enjoyed interactive experiments during the STEAM Academy Festival in November.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Jahmal Corner for more information at (206) 579-4432.