NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The nation's future 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 7. Twenty-three teams, representing middle 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 – 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 of 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. This is our fifth year hosting the event; and interest and participation has grown every year. 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 near Washington, D.C., April 30 through May 5.
The public is invited to attend the semifinal and final rounds of the March 7 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. Security guards may perform parcel and vehicle inspections.
Virginia middle schools registered for the 2009 event include (in alphabetical order):
Albert Hill Middle School, Richmond – Team A
Albert Hill Middle School, Richmond – Team B
Benjamin Syms Middle School, Hampton – Team A
Benjamin Syms Middle School, Hampton – Team B
Benton Middle School, Manassas
Chancellor Middle School, Fredericksburg – Team A
Chancellor Middle School, Fredericksburg – Team B
Glade Spring Middle School, Glade Spring
Grafton Middle School, Yorktown – Team A
Grafton Middle School, Yorktown – Team B
Great Bridge Middle School, Chesapeake
James Blair Middle School, Williamsburg
Kemps Landing Magnet School, Virginia Beach – Team A
Kemps Landing Magnet School, Virginia Beach – Team B
Longfellow Middle School, Falls Church
Northern Virginia Homeschoolers, Herndon
Salem Middle School, Virginia Beach – Team A
Salem Middle School, Virginia Beach – Team B
St. Pius X School, Norfolk
Star of the Sea Catholic School, Virginia Beach
Trinity Lutheran School, Hampton
Wallace Middle School, Bristol – Team A
Wallace Middle School Bristol – Team B
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 2009 Science Bowl press release at http://www.energy.gov/news/6852.htm