Science Olympiad

Flying a kite, launching a hot-air balloon, creating a Martian critter able to withstand the planet's harsh climate and constructing a mini-earthquake-proof house from dry spaghetti and marshmallows. Sounds like fun. And it all involves math and science skills. Making math and science fun is exactly the point of the Simi Valley school system's Math-Science Olympiad, which will take place Thursday.

A Capistrano Valley High School teacher has received top honors at the state Science Fair finals in Los Angeles, where her students also received several awards. Lyn Harvey was named one of three state Science Fair Teachers of the Year during the annual event, held last month. Six Capistrano Valley High School students also had science fair projects that qualified for the state finals. One of the students won first place.

9401 Westminster Ave. Garden Grove 92644 (714) 663-6424 * Enrollment: 1,600 * Established: 1960 * Team name: Matadors * Newspaper: The Ole Times * Principal: Jim Morrison * Student president: Julia Bui * Winning moments: Six-year accreditation by the Western Assn.

Villa Park High 18042 Taft Ave.

33333 Golden Lantern Dana Point 92629 (949) 496-6666 * Enrollment: 2,600 * Established: 1973 * Team name: Dolphins * Newspaper: The Paper * Principal: Kay Rager * Student president: Robert Leon * Winning moments: Student government elections via video; Jostens Publishing yearbook graphic design recognition; record number of students took Advance Placement tests; Digital High School grant; three Color it Orange scholarships; wrestler Grant Entsminger won Division II championship in 171-pound

Los Amigos High 16566 Newhope St.

Many high schools find their forte: a first-rate football team, a captivating concert band, a dominant debate team. For Troy High School, it's the National Science Olympiad, a fiercely competitive event the Fullerton team has dominated in recent years. At Ohio State University on Saturday, the school grabbed its fifth national title in the last eight years, beating out 53 other science powerhouses.