NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Some of the brightest young minds in the Commonwealth will meet at the U.S. Department of Energy's Jefferson Lab on March 7, to compete in the Virginia Regional Middle School Science Bowl. Teams from 14 schools are registered for this year's academic competition.
The National Science Bowl® – sponsored by the Department of Energy Office of Science since 1991 – is an annual 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 a range of science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, physics and energy.
The top three teams earn cash prizes and team trophies for their respective schools. The top team also wins an expenses-paid trip to the National Science Bowl finals to be held in Washington, D.C., April 30-May 4. The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science manages the National Science Bowl®, and sponsors the National Finals.
“These events champion an interest in science, math, engineering and technology among our nation's youth,” notes Jan Tyler, Jefferson Lab's Science Education manager.
“Participation in the National Science Bowl® encourages students to explore the fields of math and science outside of the classroom, helping them to excel in the competition as well as in school, and preparing them to understand and excel in a modern society. In addition, having this event at Jefferson Lab exposes the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators to the Lab’s staff who volunteer during the competition, providing the students with more insight into the exciting opportunities and variety of possibilities of pursuing a DOE-related career,” Tyler points out.
“Nurturing interest in and knowledge of science, math and technology will help ensure America's strong competitive edge,” she adds.
The afternoon semi-final and final rounds held in the CEBAF Center auditorium will be open to the public (starting at 12:45 p.m.).
Schools registered for the tournament include (in alphabetical order):
Benton Middle School, Manassas
Carson Middle School, Herndon
Frost Middle School, Fairfax
Grafton Middle School, Yorktown
Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News
Kilmer Middle School, Vienna
Longfellow Middle School, Falls Church
Nysmith School for the Gifted, Herndon
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newport News
Page Middle School, Gloucester
St. John the Apostle Catholic School, Virginia Beach
Star of the Sea School, Virginia Beach
Trinity Lutheran School, Newport News
Wallace Middle School, Bristol
Learn more about DOE's National Science Bowl® competition at: http://science.energy.gov/wdts/nsb/
Contact: Deb Magaldi, Jefferson Lab Public Affairs, 757-269-5102, magaldi@jlab.org