Apr 16, 2006 - Claremont, Calif. -

Middle and high school students from the Harvey Mudd College Engineering, Science, Mathematics Applications Resource Team (E-SMART) will attend a day of hands-on science and mathematics competition on April 20 for middle school students and April 27 for high school students, at Lorbeer Middle School, Diamond Bar, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

The students will race home-made cars built from mousetraps, straws, paper clips, and wood. Students will also test balsawood and craft stick bridges for weight, and drop eggs pre-packed in containers to determine survival rate. Nearly 300 students are expected to attend one of these two events.

Middle School competition events will include: Lou-Vee air cars, packaged egg drop, naked egg drop, straw tower, mousetrap cars, water rockets, craft stick bridges, CO2 dragsters, eye model, gastrointestinal physiology model, straw rockets and math contest.

High School Competition events will include: Lou-Vee air cars, packaged egg drop, naked egg drop, paper towers, mousetrap cars, water rockets, balsawood bridges, CO2 dragsters, crystal growing, web design, straw rocket and math contest.

The Harvey Mudd College E-SMART students are drawn from middle and high schools in Pomona Unified School District, which include: Emerson, Fremont, Lorbeer, Marshall, Palomares, and Simons (middle schools) and Diamond Ranch, Ganesha, Garey, Pomona, and Village Academy (high schools). Damien High School in La Verne, Colton Middle School, and Colton High School are also part of the program.

Harvey Mudd College supports E-SMART as part of the college's commitment to education and community service. The E-SMART program is designed to help students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds strive to enter math or science careers after earning a related college degree.

For more information, contact Linda Dell'Osso at (909) 621-8240.