NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Tomorrow's scientists, engineers and mathematicians may be found testing their mental skills at the Department of Energy's Virginia Regional Middle School Science Bowl taking place at Jefferson Lab on Saturday, March 1. Twenty teams, representing high schools from across the region are registered for this year's academic competition.
The National Science Bowl® tournament - sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy since 1991 - is an annual, academic competition among teams of students. The teams face off in an intense question-and-answer format where contestants are quizzed on their knowledge in math and general science.
"This is a fun, exciting event for middle schoolers that encourages and nurtures their interest in learning more about math, science and technology," notes Jan Tyler, Jefferson Lab's Science Education manager and the planner for this event. "We are delighted with the number of teams registered this year. We've had growing interest in this event every year for the four years we've hosted it. Many schools that have competed in the past will be returning with multiple teams; and several schools will be participating for the first time."
The top three teams from this event will earn cash prizes for their respective schools. The top team also wins an expenses-paid trip to the Middle School Science Bowl Nationals to be held in Golden, Colo., June 19-22.
"DOE's National Science Bowl encourages our nation's students to become the next generation of innovators propelling our country and world into a prosperous and more secure future through scientific discovery," Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said in a news release. "As a training ground for young minds, this tough competition furthers President Bush's initiatives aimed at ensuring America's strong competitive edge for decades to come."
The public is invited to attend the semifinal and final rounds of the March 1 competition at Jefferson Lab, which will run from 1:30-5 p.m. in Jefferson Lab's CEBAF Center auditorium located at 12000 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, Va. For security purposes, visitors must enter at Jefferson Lab's main entrance (Onnes Dr.). Everyone 16 and older is asked to carry a valid photo I.D., and security guards may perform parcel and vehicle inspections.
Virginia middle schools registered for the 2008 event include (in alphabetical order):
- Albert H. Hill Middle School, Richmond
- Chancellor Middle School, Fredericksburg
- Gildersleeve Middle School, Newport News
- Grafton Middle School, Yorktown
- Great Bridge Middle School, Chesapeake
- James Blair Middle School - Team A, Williamsburg
- James Blair Middle School - Team B, Williamsburg
- Kemps Landing Magnet School - Team A, Virginia Beach
- Kemps Landing Magnet School - Team B, Virginia Beach
- Kemps Landing Magnet School - Team C, Virginia Beach
- Longfellow Middle School, Falls Church
- Norview Middle School - Team A, Norfolk
- Norview Middle School - Team B, Norfolk
- Peasley Middle School - Team A, Gloucester
- Peasley Middle School - Team B, Gloucester
- Reston/Herndon Homeschoolers, Reston
- Rodney E. Thompson Middle School, Stafford
- St. Pius X School, Norfolk
- Star of the Sea Regional Catholic School, Virginia Beach
- Wallace Middle School, Bristol
To learn more about DOE's National Science Bowl competition, visit: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nsb/index.html
Check out the types of questions students will answer at: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nmsb/RulesResources.htm
View DOE's 2008 Science Bowl press release at: http://energy.gov/news/5874.htm