Great Neck South High School students joined many Long Island middle school and high school teams to compete in the 2016 National Science Bowl (NSB), sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and managed by DOE’s Office of Science.
Buzzers, not bells, rang in the New Year for thousands of middle- and high-school students all across the U.S. because as they pitted their math and science knowledge—and their reflexes—against one another in regional competitions of the DOE’s 26th National Science Bowl.
The competitions started with four students from each team facing off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format. The winning team from each of the 48 middle- and 68 high-school regions then competed in the National Finals, held in Washington, DC. At the finals, winning teams scored exciting adventure trips to Alaska and national parks across the country to learn first-hand about science in the field, as well as trophies, medals and supplies for their schools’ science departments. But to many, the ultimate prize simply would be the prestige of winning the National Championship.
NSB draws more than 14,000 middle- and high-school competitors each year. More than 250,000 students have faced off in the NSB Finals since the first competition in 1991. The knowledge that former NSB competitors have acquired—and more importantly, the habits of study that they’ve learned along the way—have led them to success in various fields. Many have become researchers; others are science and math professors at some of the nation’s most prestigious universities.
While those career paths might seem intuitive, the math and science knowledge students need to be successful in the NSB also can lead to successful careers in other fields. The 2016 NSB competitors will follow in the footsteps of previous National Science Bowl contestants, and will blaze a trail for students in science, math and engineering for the next quarter century.
The National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Middle and high school student teams from diverse backgrounds are comprised of four students, one alternate and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach.
DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit www.science.energy.gov.
