Saks Fifth Avenue’s handbag, shoes and accessories manager Michele Pytlinski (left) and designer manager Diane Favors (right) help Xavier University freshaman Melissa Brown as she tries on a beaded belt used in a pinch as a necklace at the downtown Saks Fifth Avenue store as part of a learn how to dress for success business seminar. (Jeff Swinger/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

CINCINNATI STATE - Nearly 600 junior high and high school students from around the region will converge on the campus of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Saturday for the annual Science Olympiad. They will participate in a science tournament, doing lab activities, dropping eggs from high places in hopes of not breaking them, building bridges, setting off bottle rockets and playing pool with robots.

Events run 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The public is invited. Information: 569-1225.

Students to compete at science fair

NORTHERN KENTUCKY U. - More than 200 middle and high school students from Northern Kentucky are expected to participate in the eighth annual North Area Counties of Kentucky Exposition of Science Fair from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Northern Kentucky University's Regents Hall.

Students will compete for nearly $7,000 in cash prizes, savings bonds and travel to international competition.

Among presentations for the public is an all-day science film festival at the Otto M. Budig Theater in University Center.

The event is free. Information: Karen M. Ware, (859) 572-6543.

Director at Miami given state award

MIAMI U. - Terry McCollum, statewide director of the K-12 programs for the Discovery Center at Miami University, has been awarded the 2003-04 Friend of Science Award from the Science Education Council of Ohio.

The award is given to someone who has made contributions to science education statewide or nationally. The Discovery Center, an Ohio Systemic Initiative, aims to enhance math and science teaching through professional development programs for teachers.

Thomas More prof to speak at museum

THOMAS MORE - Thomas More College professor John Hageman will take part in the Cincinnati Museum Center Science Lecture Series, discussing "The Ohio River Run: A Research Expedition" on March 25.

Speakers will discuss the 981-mile research expedition they took in August 2003, from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Ill.

The project collected data from the Ohio River with faculty and students from Thomas More, the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University and Marshall University. They collected information about water chemistry, algae, and bacteria.

The lecture, at 7:30 p.m. in Reakirt Auditorium at the museum, is free and open to the public.

Kristina Goetz

E-mail college news to kgoetz@enquirer.com