NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology team pummeled its competition at the Virginia Regional Science Bowl held Feb. 2 at Jefferson Lab.
The team finished the day winning all of its matches. This marked the seventh time since Jefferson Lab has been hosting this annual event that the Thomas Jefferson team, from Alexandria, took the regional title. Eighteen teams competed in the day-long academic event that pitted teams of the brightest students from across Virginia against each other.
Winning the Virginia Regional Science Bowl on Feb. 2 was the team from the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria. Members of the winning team include (left to right) Huanqi Deng, Bruce Sun, Jack Wang, Meng-Yang Chen and Evan Warner and Coach Sharon Webb. Photo: Steve Gagnon
The first-place finish earned TJHSST a berth at the Science Bowl National Finals to be held near Washington, D.C., May 1-6, where the team will compete for the top prize: its choice of three science-related trips, which include locations in the U.S., France, and England.
As the top team at the regional competition, TJHSST took home a $750 check for its school, the regional banner that the team will carry on its expenses-paid trip to nationals, a team trophy, and individual medals.
St. Christopher's School, Richmond, finishing in second took home a $500 check for its school and a team trophy.
Third place went to the Princess Anne High School A-Team, Virginia Beach. The team took home a $300 check for its school and a team trophy. Taking home the fourth place trophy was Langley High School, McLean.
A number of teams, eliminated from competition after the morning rounds, stayed for the afternoon to participate in a series of math and science challenges dubbed the Stay All Day Contest. Members of the winning team, Hickory High School A-Team, Chesapeake, each received a Weather Channel Weather Station.
"It was a great event and the students got to show off their knowledge, sense of control and quick reactions," noted event organizer and JLab's Science Education Manager Jan Tyler. "These young people are motivated and intelligent. It is a pleasure to hold an academic competition where they can shine."
The matches put students' knowledge to the test in science and math using a fast-paced question and answer format similar to the game show Jeopardy. The National Science Bowl competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, is the only educational event and academic competition of its kind that is sponsored by a federal agency to help develop the workforce that America requires in order to remain at the forefront of scientific advances, technological innovation and economic competitiveness.
Nearly 70 volunteers -- current and former JLab employees and their family members, teachers and DOE officials -- volunteered their time to put on the event.