The Mentor High, Shore and Memorial Middle School Science Olympiad teams all competed this weekend at the state competition at Ohio State University.

Mentor High was third in the state in the high school division -- trailing only Centerville and Solon Schools.

Memorial came in fifth place overall in the middle school division; Shore, in seventh place against more than 40 other teams. Ridge Middle School's team narrowly missed qualifying for states during the regional competition at Case Western Reserve University.

(Ninth graders compete with their respective middle school teams.)

Memorial brought home medals in 11 events and 1 trial event. Shore received medals in 5 events.

Meanwhile, the Mentor High team came just one place short of competing at the National Science Olympiad competition in Orlando, FL.

Students competed in dozens of events this weekend that tested their acumen in almost every facet of science. The students built towers, helicopters and trebuchets, then tested their effectiveness. They learned about microbes and magnets, ornithology and optics.

The Science Olympiad teams have a long season that starts in fall and does not end until the state competition.

Additionally, several of their coaches are parents from the community who offer their expertise to the students.