HAMMOND | Highland High School senior and science whiz Katie Reimer showcased her abilities with competitive crime solving at Saturday's Science Olympiad.

After examining compound and trace substances during the event at Purdue University Calumet, Reimer's task was to discover which of four imaginary suspects had slain a mock victim as part of a forensic science exercise.

"We caught him," Reimer said after the event as she and the Highland team waited for the results that would determine which team would go on to the National Science Olympiad.

Saturday marked the first time that the statewide Science Olympiad was at Purdue Calumet. Sponsored by a not-for-profit organization of the same name, the Olympiad is designed to stimulate interest in science among young scholars.

More than 800 students, including many from Lake and Porter counties, gathered at the Hammond campus to compete in subjects including chemistry, forensics, mathematics, astronomy and anatomy, event co-director Diane Trgovich-Zacok said.

Some participants, including Reimer's fellow Highland High School science team member Jon McDillon, focused their skills on practical engineering in events such as The Scrambler.

"I won state last year in this event and hope to repeat," McDillon said of his effort to put together an improvised automobile powered by the fall of a heavy object. To win the event, the balsa wood automobile with CDs for wheels had to stop as close to a wall as possible without breaking an egg attached to the vehicle's front.

Kim Johnson, 14, a student at Hammond's Scott Middle School, engineered an oil-derrick style tower that held 13 kilograms before it broke. She was hopeful the design would win her a trip to the national tournament.

Purdue Calumet Director of Education Robert Rivers said Friday that the Olympiad is more than just an academic exercise. It applies science to real-world problems and sparks an interest in science in some students not known for being bookworms.

Indiana Science Olympiad

State Finals

At Purdue University Calumet

DIVISION B (Middle Schools)

1. Thomas Jefferson M.S., Valparaiso, 94*

2. Wilbur Wright M.S., Munster, 124*

3. Stanley Clark M.S., South Bend, 170

4. Ben Franklin M.S., Valparaiso 180

5. Central M.S., Kokomo, 214

Other Region finishers

6. Scott M.S., Hammond, 219

11. Grimmer M.S., Schererville, 284

14. Our Lady of Grace, Highland, 295

15. St. John the Baptist, Hammond, 326

18. Edison Junior High, Lake Station, 363

DIVISION C (High Schools)

1. Bloomington North, 130*

2. Valparaiso, 137*

3. South Bend Riley, 160

4. Carmel, 170

5. Northridge (Middlebury), 185

Other Region finishers

8. Munster, 209

9. Highland, 214

12. Whiting, 264

16. Lake Central, 338

22. Hanover Central, 421

* Qualifies for Science Olympiad National Finals, May 18-19, Wichita, Kan.