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.

A pair of Irvine schools made headlines recently on the Orange County Register’s website. For starters, Register reporter Samantha Schaefer previewed Northwood High School's third annual Timberwolf 5K Run/Walk, which will raise money for Northwood's athletics program and Families Forward.

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.

Paddleboarding star Connor Baxter paid a visit this week to South Lake Middle School, where he encouraged students to say no to drugs and yes to healthy lifestyles. Baxter's appearance was tied to Red Ribbon Week, which officially kicks off on Oct. 22.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has released its latest list of semifinalists who are in the running for prestigious National Merit awards, and 94 of them are from right here in IUSD.