U.S. Department of Energy Kicks Off 18th National Science Bowl

WASHINGTON, DC – Regional competition began this weekend in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 18th Annual National Science Bowl, as students in Maryland and Michigan kicked off this year’s pursuit of coveted spots in the National Finals. During the next few months, more than 17,000 students will compete in 104 regional events, held in 41 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each match will put students’ knowledge to the test in science and math using a fast-paced question and answer format similar to Jeopardy. DOE’s National Science Bowl is the only educational event and academic competition of its kind that is sponsored by a federal agency and complements the President’s vision to help develop a workforce that America requires to remain at the forefront of scientific advances, technological innovation and economic competitiveness.

“DOE’s National Science Bowl encourages our nation’s students to become the next generation of innovators propelling our country and world into a prosperous and more secure future through scientific discovery,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. “As a training ground for our young minds, this tough competition furthers President Bush’s initiatives aimed at ensuring America’s strong competitive edge for decades to come. I wish every team the best of luck.”

DOE’s National Science Bowl for high school students features 67 regional competitions, each one sending a winning team to the National Finals, scheduled for May 1-6, 2008, in Washington, DC. DOE’s National Science Bowl for middle school students features 39 regional competitions, with the middle school National Finals set for June 19-22, 2008 in Golden, Colorado.

Each regional championship team will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Finals. The high school national championship team will win its choice of three science-related trips, which include locations in the U.S., France, and England. The middle school national champions will win a cash prize for their school and several sponsor-supplied prizes.

Since DOE’s National Science Bowl began in 1991, more than 130,000 students – and their teachers – have participated. Student teams, which consist of four students, an alternate, and a teacher/coach, practice for months before the competition. Many teams even test their knowledge against real scientists at major corporations or DOE’s National Laboratories, who volunteer their time to help students prepare to answer complex questions.

High school teams are quizzed on all science disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, earth science and astronomy, as well as math. Middle school teams are tested on a variety of science disciplines including earth, physical, life, general science and math.

DOE’s Office of Science administers the National Science Bowl program to encourage students to excel in science and mathematics and pursue careers in those fields. DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and ensures U.S. world leadership across a broad range of scientific disciplines. The Office of Science also manages ten world-class national laboratories with unmatched capabilities for solving complex interdisciplinary problems, and it builds and operates some of the nation's most advanced R&D user facilities, located at national laboratories and universities. Learn more about the Office of Science.

Corporate sponsors of DOE’s National Science Bowl include General Motors, AREVA, Inc., Bechtel Corporation, IBM and Texas Instruments. Regional sponsors range from small companies to the Fortune 1000.

More information, including the list of regional science bowl competitions, is available at the National Science Bowl website.

Media contact(s):
Jeff Sherwood, (202) 586-5806
Phil West, (202) 586-4940