The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Portsmouth Site recently hosted the South Central Ohio High School Regional Science Bowl, where Valley High School reigned as the champion for the second year in a row and third time altogether.
Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office
March 18, 2025
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PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Portsmouth Site recently hosted the South Central Ohio High School Regional Science Bowl, where Valley High School reigned as the champion for the second year in a row and third time altogether.
DOE’s 13th annual regional science competition at Shawnee State University drew 32 teams from 17 schools from Pike, Scioto, and Ross counties.
“The high level of competition this year is a reflection of all the hard work and preparation these students put in for this event,” Portsmouth Site Lead Jeremy Davis said. “Congratulations to Valley High School on their win. Best of luck at the National Science Bowl.”
Portsmouth Site Lead Jeremy Davis welcomes students to the 13th annual South Central Ohio High School Regional Science Bowl. The event was held on the Shawnee State University campus.
Valley High will join 63 other regional winners from across the country to compete in the 35th annual National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., April 24-28.
This year, schools could enter up to three teams in the regional event. Wheelersburg High School came in second place, and Portsmouth and Zane Trace high schools reached the semi-finals.
“Our goal coming in was to repeat last year’s win, and Wheelersburg put up a good fight,” Valley High Coach Justin Howard said. “This year’s questions were challenging. It’s just exciting to get the win again this year.”
More than 60 volunteers from EM and Portsmouth Site contractors, including Fluor-BWXT-Portsmouth, Enterprise Technical Assistance Services, and Mid-America Conversion Services, served as moderators, timekeepers, rules judges and runners for the event.
“Every year our volunteers work hard to make sure all students have a fantastic experience,” Portsmouth Site Program Analyst and Federal Coordinator Greg Simonton said. “Many of these volunteers return year after year to support the program, and it is great to see their commitment to promoting educational opportunities in southern Ohio.”
DOE created the national competition in 1991 to encourage more students to pursue careers in science and math. Since then, more than 344,000 students have competed in the nation’s largest science competition.
-Contributor: Cindi Remy