Kutztown University will host more than 500 middle and high school students competing in the Central Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Science Olympiad on March 20.

The region covers Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Twenty-eight high schools (Division C) and 10 middle schools (Division B) have entered teams to compete in 23 different events.

Area schools partipating include Northwestern Lehigh and Parkland high schools in Division C and Springhouse Middle School in Division B.

This unique competitive experience includes the science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology.

The top four middle school teams and the top six high school teams will advance to the state competition May 2 at Juniata College.

The national tournament will be May 16-17 in Orlando, Fla.

The Pennsylvania Science Olympiad has been in existence since 1985.

Originally involving just 30 teams competing in one location, it has grown to include more than 300 teams competing in six regional locations across the state.

Forty-two Pennsylvania Division C teams have ranked in the top 15 nationally since beginning national competition in 1985, and 25 Pennsylvania Division B teams have ranked in the top 15 nationally.

For more information contact Joann Monko, KU instructor of physical sciences and science Olympiad site director, at 484-646-4116 or email scienceolympiad@kutztown.edu.