Calloway County Middle School Advances to DOE National Science Bowl

Ava Bogard, center, with Calloway County Middle School Team #1, discusses a toss-up question during the DOE West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl for area middle schools.

PADUCAH, Ky. — Calloway County Middle School Team #1 recently won the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl.

Recognized as the region’s most notable science competition for middle school students, the event is sponsored and organized by DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) Portsmouth Paducah Project Office employees and contractors. More than 120 volunteers serve as moderators, judges, technical advisors and scorekeepers.

“The Science Bowl is an incredible showcase of talent, dedication and academic excellence,” EM Paducah Site Lead April Ladd said. “The enthusiasm and preparation displayed by students, coaches and volunteers each year are truly inspiring. This competition not only challenges students’ knowledge but also fosters a passion for science and teamwork, benefiting them for years to come.”

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Program Analyst Robert “Buz” Smith, far right, poses with DOE West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl champion Calloway County Middle School Team #1, from left, coach Scott Pile, Ava Bogard, Collin Naber, Theodore Perlow, Kyler Myers and Abby Rekow.

The five-member team will compete in DOE’s National Science Bowl finals in Washington, D.C., from April 24-28.

“We are so excited to represent western Kentucky at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., and are excited to continue our journey,” Calloway County Middle School Team #1 Coach Scott Pile said. “These students exemplify the characteristics of hard work. We would like to thank DOE for providing opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow.”

Eighteen middle school teams competed in the regional competition, which is celebrating its 17th year. Each year, coaches, volunteers and competitors take on extensive training in advance of the event.

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Program Analyst Robert “Buz” Smith, far right, poses with DOE West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl runner-up Lone Oak Middle School Team, from left, coach Tessa Hooks, Athena Yang, Reid Martin, Alexander Peterson, Sharon Shi, Asher Fawkes and coach Daniel Rushing.

Lone Oak Middle School finished second and St. Mary Middle School finished third in the regional competition.

Other schools competing in this year’s event included Ballard County, Christian County, Heath, Henderson County North, Hopkinsville, Murray, Paducah and Reidland middle schools from Kentucky, and Massac Junior High School from Illinois.

The tournament is a quick-recall, fast-paced, question-and-answer contest. It’s designed to quiz students on their knowledge of biology, chemistry, Earth and space, energy, mathematics, and physics.

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Program Analyst Robert “Buz” Smith, far right, poses with DOE West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl second-runner-up St. Mary Middle School Team, from left, coach Rodney Holt, Trey Ashford, Emma Dee, Boston Yazigi, Reyansh Bejgum and Aditya Bhatia.

The first-place middle school team in the regional tournament receives $1,200 for its school.

DOE created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to excel in math and science, and to pursue careers in those fields. More than 344,000 students have participated in the event throughout its 34-year history, and it’s one of the nation’s largest science competitions.

Click here to read about DOE's West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl for high schools held earlier this year. Owensboro High School Team #1 won that event.