Valley High School Team 2 recently captured first place in the 12th annual DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl, marking the second time in the last three years the school has won the event. With the victory, the team advances to the National Science Bowl competition held in Washington, D.C., April 25-29.
Office of Environmental Management
March 12, 2024
minute read time
The 2024 DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl participants pose for a group photo. This year’s event set a participation record with 18 schools and 32 teams from Scioto, Pike, Ross and Jackson counties.
PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Valley High School Team 2 recently captured first place in the 12th annual DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl, marking the second time in the last three years the school has won the event. With the victory, the team advances to the National Science Bowl competition held in Washington, D.C., April 25-29.
“We are thrilled to win this year's competition,” Valley High School Coach Justin Howard said of the regional event, which saw a record number of participants. “I am proud of our teams for their hard work and look forward to representing our region at the National Science Bowl.”
Schools have the option to enter up to three teams in the competition. Minford High School Team 2 finished in second place, and Valley High School Team 1 and Northwest High School Team 2 advanced to the semifinals.
The regional competition drew 18 schools and 32 teams from Scioto, Pike, Ross and Jackson counties at Shawnee State University.
Students from Valley High School Team 2 and Northwest High School Team 2 await to begin their semifinal match during the 12th annual DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl. Valley High School Team 2 won this year’s competition.
Students from Valley High School Team 2 and Northwest High School Team 2 await to begin their semifinal match during the 12th annual DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl. Valley High School Team 2 won this year’s competition.
Runners-up of the 12th annual DOE South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl, Minford High School Team 2, pose for a photograph with their trophies. From left: Fluor- BWXT Portsmouth Chief Operating Officer Kliss McNeel, Minford Coach Megan Mitchell, Chase Fisher, Zach Fleenor, Claire Clevenger, Hannah Stockham and EM Program Analyst Greg Simonton.
“These students work hard to prepare for this competition and do an outstanding job representing our communities,” EM Portsmouth Site Lead Jeremy Davis said. “Best of luck to Valley High School Team 2 as they advance to the national competition.”
DOE created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to pursue careers in math and science. More than 344,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl throughout its history. It’s one of the nation’s largest science competitions.
Catch up on recent EM Update coverage of other DOE regional science bowl victories here and here. The competitions were sponsored and organized by EM Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office employees and contractors.
More than 60 people from Portsmouth Site volunteered as moderators, time-keepers, rules judges and runners for the event.
“Because of the teamwork, the event ran like clockwork,” said Kliss McNeel, deputy site director for Fluor- BWXT Portsmouth, EM’s deactivation and demolition contractor at the Portsmouth Site. “We have an amazing group at the site. It’s extraordinary what we can do when we pull together for our community.”
-Contributor: Shawn Jordan
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