January 21, 2005
Academic decathlon to draw students from throughout Indiana
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Indiana High school students from Merrillville to Evansville will test their mental agility at Purdue University on Feb. 11-12 in the State Academic Decathlon.
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Administered by the Indiana Association of School Principals and funded by Purdue, the decathlon features teams of students who compete through tests, essays, speeches and interviews to advance to a national competition.
Victor L. Lechtenberg, Purdue's vice provost for engagement, said the competition is one way the university fulfills its commitment to bolster K-12 education in the state.
"Purdue has a long history of supporting academic excellence in Indiana high schools," Lechtenberg said. "Whether it's sending student volunteers into the classroom, providing training to teachers or serving as a host for academic competitions, Purdue welcomes the opportunity to use its resources to help schools attain higher levels of academic excellence."
Stephen Heck, executive director of the Indiana Association of School Principals, said Purdue is a valuable partner in promoting academic success.
"Purdue does more than pay lip service in supporting the education of aspiring Boilermakers," Heck said. "It provides tangible support. Students throughout Indiana are reaping the benefits."
In addition to providing funding for the competitions, Purdue assists with question writing, presenting awards, and offering promotional and technical assistance.
Future competitions include the Academic Super Bowl, in which teams of middle and high school students compete in English, math, science, fine arts and social studies categories, and the Academic Spell Bowl. The events will take place at Purdue on May 7 and Nov. 12, respectively.
Besides these academic competitions, the IASP provides a full range of services for building-level administrators so they can provide instructional leadership and effective management to Indiana schools, Heck said. Through its student programs, the association reaches out to thousands of Indiana students each year and provides them with curriculum-enhancing activities that assist each child in reaching his or her potential.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (7650 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Victor Lechtenberg, (765) 494-9095, vll@purdue.edu
Stephen Heck, (317) 891-9900 ext. 210, sheck@iasp.org
Kyle Harrop, IASP student program director, (317) 891-9900 Ext. 220, kharrop@iasp.org
Kathryn Walters, Purdue Conference Coordinator, (765) 494-2758, kw@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Media are invited to cover the Oral Super Quiz, which takes place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Elliott Hall of Music. A list of high schools that will have students participating in the competition is available online.
Related Web site:
Purdue Office of Engagement
PHOTO CAPTION:
Roncalli High School students Michael Parrett, Fatima Patino and Brian Bauman, from left, celebrate a correct answer at the Academic Decathlon competition sponsored by Purdue University on Feb. 13-14, 2004. Students from more than 20 schools from throughout Indiana competed in the academic competition, which is one of several contests funded by Purdue and administered by the Indiana Association of School Principals. (Division of Instructional Services file photo/John Underwood.)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2004/gentry.decath.jpeg
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