University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

November 9, 2000	Contact: Bill Burton (312) 996-2269; burton@uic.edu
	Kristin Lunardini (312) 996-3457; klunar1@uic.edu

PARENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TEAM UP TO COMPETE IN TEST OF KNOWLEDGE

Combining education with fun, the University of Illinois at Chicago will host the annual UIContest on Sunday, Nov. 12 in the Illinois Room, Chicago Circle Center, 750 S. Halsted St. Legendary White Sox star Minnie Minoso will be on hand as honorary emcee.

UIContest teams up high school students with their parents to represent their schools in a general knowledge contest. The contest aims to increase parents' involvement in their children's academic activities and introduce talented high school students to UIC.

"It's an educational and fun way for parents and children to interact together," says UIC physics professor Uday Sukhatme, who developed UIContest in 1998 as part of the City of Chicago's Project Millennium celebrations.

In the last UIContest, Byron High School, near Rockford, surprised Chicago powerhouse Whitney Young in the finals. In earlier rounds, Byron edged past suburban contenders Stevenson, Lake Zurich and New Trier.

The contest is like a game show: Two teams of three students and three parents compete head-to-head, "buzzing in" to answer questions. The team ahead at the end of 30 questions wins the match. Questions will be in such categories as literature, media and current events. Elimination matches begin in the morning and final round matches start at 2 p.m.

Prizes include paid summer internships in research laboratories at UIC and substantial scholarships for students who decide to enroll at UIC. Audience members as well as participants can enter a drawing for the chance to answer a series of questions to win the "Beaker o' Bucks."

Admission is free and open to the general public. Free parking is available. For more information, call (312) 413-3470 or visit http://outreach.vcaa.uic.edu

- UIC -