Many of our future scientists, engineers and mathematicians recently put their knowledge to the test during this year’s DOE's Regional Science Bowl.
Office of Environmental Management
March 19, 2019
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AIKEN, S.C. – Many of our country’s future scientists, engineers and mathematicians recently put their knowledge to the test during this year’s U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site (SRS) Regional Science Bowl® Competition, which attracted 24 teams from across South Carolina and the greater Augusta, Ga. area.
This year's winning team from Lakeside High School, Evans, Ga., earned an all-expense paid trip to the national competition to be held April 25-29 in Washington, D.C. The national event also offers several days of hands-on science activities, seminars and sightseeing.
Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill, S.C., came in second, while third place was achieved by the South Carolina Governor's School, Greenville, S.C. The day-long event was held at the University of South Carolina Aiken
The format used is similar to the television show “Jeopardy,” where teams face-off during a timed period of fast-paced question-and-answers. Questions cover a wide range of academic disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, energy and math.
This year’s regional contest involved 119 students from 17 high schools.
“The teams arrive fully prepared after extensive practice. I’m always impressed with how much information they can retain and how calm they remain,” said Kim Mitchell of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Education Outreach.
Charlton Hill, a senior at Aiken High School, stated the event quickly shows just how little knowledge each of us possesses. "It's interesting to see if you're a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. It's humbling," he said. "But it's also a learning experience that I hope to take a lot away from.”
DOE created the National Science Bowl (NSB) in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. Approximately 290,000 students have participated in the NSB throughout its 28-year history.
Over the next several months, more than 9,000 high school students and 4,500 middle school students will compete in 65 high school and 50 middle school regional Science Bowl tournaments. The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science manages the National Science Bowl and sponsors the NSB finals.
Volunteers from the community and multiple EM contractors at SRS work as scorekeepers, timers, judges and many other important functions during the regional tournament each year. “We heavily depend on our volunteers and greatly appreciate their help,” said Mitchell. “It’s quite a team effort.”