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CORVALLIS - Topics such as DNA, volcanoes and the biomechanics of frog flight will be featured when the College of Science at Oregon State University holds its 14th annual "Visual Cascade of Science" on Saturday, April 29, for high school students, their parents and teachers from across Oregon.

The program will begin with registration at 9 a.m. in Gilfillan Auditorium, at Arnold Way and Monroe Street, on the OSU campus. It is free, and the morning session is open to the public.

"Our goal is to stimulate interest in science through a morning of highly visual, short presentations of cutting-edge science," said Richard Thies, associate dean of the college. "We try to cover a wide range of science which helps students see new possibilities."

The program is one part of the university's recognition of National Science Week, Thies said, and tries to encourage high school students to consider pursuing careers in mathematics and science.

During the morning, five leading OSU researchers will make presentations based on some of their recent research or courses they teach. In the afternoon, students may tour university laboratories that do work in such areas as animated physics, molecular graphics, chemical analysis, biomolecules in 3D, muscle physiology, bone research, geographic information, and other fields.

A free lunch will be provided to students and teachers.

Presenters for the morning session include Kevin Ahern, "The DNA Detective"; Anita Grunder, "Volcanoes in the High Andes: Crustal Growth or Crustal Recycling?"; Bob Higdon, "Differential Equations, Big Computers, And Ocean Circulation"; Rick Nafshen, "Incredible Chemical Happenings"; and Tom Roberts, "The Biomechanics of Frog Flight."

More information about the program, registration and activities can be obtained on the web, by contacting Thies at 541-737-4811, or by writing OSU College of Science, 128 Kidder Hall, Corvallis, Ore., 97331-4608.