PADUCAH, Ky. — McCracken County High School won the 15th Annual Department of Energy West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl on Friday, earning a spot in the National Science Bowl® Finals in April.

The Regional Science Bowl tournament is a quick-recall, fast-paced, question-and-answer contest. During the tournament, high school students are quizzed on their knowledge of biology, chemistry, Earth and space sciences, energy, mathematics, and physics.

Calloway County High School finished second, and Graves County High School finished third.

“The last three years have been filled with uncertainties and challenges," McCracken County Coach Matthew Shelton said. "I’m proud of my team for the time and effort put into this year’s event. Without their hard work and determination, our win would not have been possible."

Other high schools competing in this year’s event were Ballard Memorial High School, Livingston Central High School, Marshall County High School, Owensboro High School, and Paducah Tilghman High School in Kentucky; and Cairo Junior/Senior High School and Massac County High School in Illinois.

“Congratulations to this year’s winners. This event provides an excellent opportunity for students in our region to participate in first-class competition,” said Joel Bradburne, Manager of DOE’s Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office that oversees the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and hosts the Regional Science Bowl. “Our Paducah staff and contractors invest numerous hours to deliver a platform that showcases the gifted students in the Paducah community."

The first place high school and middle school teams in the West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl will receive $1,500 for their schools. Each year, more than 14,000 students compete in the Science Bowl nationally. Since the event began 30 years ago, more than 315,000 students have competed.