Robert Frost Middle School won the Virginia/Maryland Regional Science Bowl hosted by Jefferson Lab on March 5. The team includes (left to right) Sherwin Heydarbeygi, Jacob Hurwitz, Christian Haudenschild, Krzysztof Franaszek, Zohair Asmail and team coach, Clara Asmail.
(Science Bowl photo by Steve Gagnon)
Eleven middle schools from Virginia and Maryland competed in the Virginia/Maryland Regional Middle School Science Bowl held March 5 at the Department of Energy's Jefferson Lab in Newport News, Va. At the end of the daylong academic competition, Robert Frost Middle School from Rockville, Md., came away with first place. Salem Middle School, Virginia Beach, Va., took second; St. Pius X School, Norfolk, Va., placed third and Chancellor Middle School from Fredericksburg, Va. finished in fourth.
Finishing in first place earned the Robert Frost team a berth at the Middle School Science Bowl Nationals in Golden, Colo., June 27-29. There are two competitions at the National Middle School Science Bowl - an academic math and science competition and a model fuel-cell car competition. The academic competition is a fast-paced question-and-answer contest where students answer questions about earth science, physical science, life science, math, and general science. The model fuel cell car competition challenges students to design, build, and race model cars.
In 2004, more than 2,000 students participated in twenty regional competitions across the nation. The national event included a day of academic competition and a day of hands-on science and engineering when the teams designed, built, and raced model cars. Awards were given for both the academic and "hands-on" competitions.
Robert Frost Middle School's first-place finish earned the team members individual medallions, a team trophy and a $750 check for their school. Salem Middle School took home a $500 check for their school and the second-place trophy. St. Pius X School went away with the third-place trophy and $400 for their school and Chancellor Middle School rounded out the top finishers with the fourth-place trophy and $300 for their school.
"The Science Bowl is an annual, highly visible academic competition among teams of high school or middle school students," explains Jan Tyler, JLab's Science Education manager and coordinator for the high school and middle school science bowls in this region. "These events champion an interest in science and math across the nation. We're always excited to host these events. They are a great way to promote education, academic excellence and an interest in math and science. And, competing with their peers is a great confidence builder and a fantastic way to motivate young minds."
This nation-wide, academic competition among teams of students has been sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy for the past 15 years. Each team is made up of four to five students and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach. For more information about the Middle School Science Bowl Nationals, visit: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nmsb/default.htm