MARIETTA, GA - Twenty-four Georgia high school teams and approximately 350 students will compete in the Regional High School Science Olympiad at Southern Polytechnic State University on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 8 a.m.

Science Olympiad is a series of team and individual competitions that follows the formats of popular board games, TV shows and athletic games. The events are rigorous academic, interscholastic competitions that students prepare for during the year. Well-balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology, the events require students to demonstrate their knowledge of science facts, concepts, processes, skills and applications.

The regional Science Olympiad consists of 26 events, including "Mission Possible," "Scrambler," "Using the Web" and "Reach for the Stars." Southern Polytechnic faculty and staff organize and conduct the competition.

Georgia schools sending teams include Campbell High, Harrison High, Sprayberry High, Walton High, Lassiter High, Wheeler High, Westside High, Westminister, Columbus High, Troup High, Stars Mill High, North Atlanta High, Newnan High, McIntosh High, Mays High, Lithia Springs High, Hiram High, East Paulding High and Booker T. Washington High.

Awards will be presented at the event. The event's top five teams will then advance to the State Science Olympiad later in the spring.