The Science team competes today at 10am in the University of Illinois in the State science competition.

The competition is run through the organization Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE). Students take two 40 minute tests of their choosing, out of the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English and mathematics.

All tests are written by University of Illinois professors at a high school AP level, according to Robert Moore, chemistry teacher.

The science team was created three years ago and is growing in size, according to Moore. There are fourteen students competing at State. He says students participate in the program for a variety of reasons.

“Some use it for their resumés,” Moore said. “Others do it because it can be kind of fun, and you get validation from understanding a subject.”

The training the team does to prepare for competition consists of taking timed tests and simulating the competition environment, which Moore says can also make students better and faster at tests. Preparation started right after Homecoming, and competitions occur in February, March and April.

In order to continue competing, the science team must at least place in English, chemistry and math. In the past, the science team has done best in chemistry and biology.

Teams can win individual and team awards based on their performance on tests.