Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts Wins Louisiana High School Science Bowl and Spot in National Finals
Obama Administration Highlights Importance of Investing in Next Generation of Leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fields
Washington, D.C.,
Mar 5, 2012 -
Building on President Obama’s efforts to help more students excel in math and science and his call in the State of the Union address for investments in a skilled American workforce, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Louisiana Congressman John Fleming announced today that the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts from Natchitoches, LA, won the Louisiana High School Science Bowl on Saturday. The Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts competed against 25 other teams from across the state in one of the nation’s regional competitions of the 22nd Annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl, and is now eligible to compete in the National Finals in Washington, D.C., at the end of April. The National Science Bowl brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, astronomy, and math.
“Congratulations to the students at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts – some of America’s future leaders in the science, technology, engineering and math fields,” said Energy Secretary Chu. “Through the National Science Bowl, we’re challenging today’s students and ensuring that America stays competitive in a rapidly advancing world.”
"Congratulations to the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, and the students who have come to Natchitoches from all across our great state to attend LSMSA! The Science Bowl team at LSMSA has made us all proud and I look forward to their success next month in the national competition," said Congressman Fleming.
The Department of Energy (DOE) created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. More than 200,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl throughout its 21 year history, and it is the nation’s largest science competition.
Over the next several months, more than 9,000 high school students and 4,500 middle school students will compete in 69 high school and 45 middle school regional Science Bowl tournaments. Students, in teams of four or five, compete in a fast-paced Jeopardy-style format where they solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Most teams are coached by teachers from the students’ schools and spend several months preparing for the regional competitions. Many states have one regional or statewide Science Bowl competition, while larger states, such as California and Texas, hold several regional competitions across their states.
The Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts competed against 25 other teams in the state. Students from The Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts will be awarded an all-expense paid trip to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., which are scheduled for April 26-30, 2012. The regional tournaments, which host 15-50 teams, are sponsored by federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of education, and non-profit organizations.
DOE’s Office of Science manages the competition. More information about these events is available on the National Science Bowl website: http://www.science.energy.gov/nsb/.
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