Some very cool student inventions will be showcased later this month at the 26th annual Astounding Inventions contest.

Our friends in the science department have asked us to pass along word of an opportunity for science-minded students in grades one through six.

About 400 IUSD middle schoolers recently got a chance to test-drive potential careers in physics, robotics, aerospace, health and other specialized fields during a long-running science conference at UCI.

Back in July, IUSD approved the second phase of an ambitious project that’s bringing energy-generating solar panels to a number of additional schools and district sites.

On the eve of being honored by the Irvine Public Schools Foundation as one of IUSD’s distinguished alumni, former major-leaguer and University High grad Tim Wallach paid a visit to his old stomping grounds this week.

Students looking for an edge on their science projects will be able to consult with some pretty sharp experts this week, as IUSD is once again sponsoring “Ask-A-Scientist Night” at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School. The event will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Vehicle shade structures outfitted with energy-producing solar panels will be added to the parking lots of nine campuses, saving the district an additional $305,000 a year, following a vote this month by the IUSD Board of Education.

The IUSD Board of Education on Tuesday approved an expanded communications plan to solicit feedback on a proposal to harness solar power at up to 12 additional Irvine campuses.

Calling for a greater effort to notify neighboring communities, the IUSD Board of Education continued a proposal to add canopies topped with solar panels to the parking lots of 11 Irvine schools.

It's been more than a year since IUSD held an activation ceremony to mark the installation of solar panels at 13 schools and a pair of support facilities, and the data that's been gathered over the last 12 months is