Department Helps Host Middle School Science Bowl
Lux Middle School Wins Science Bowl and Trip to National Competition.
LINCOLN, February 2, 2009 – Lux Middle School was the winner of the 6th annual Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Science Bowl is a fast-paced question-and-answer contest where students answer questions about science and math. A total of 40 teams from across the state participated.
Members of the winning Lux team were: Akshay Rajagopal, Alex Toalson, Trevor Hennig, Katie Sedlar, Ben Bradley, and teacher/coach Rich Powers. The U.S. Department of Energy will provide the team an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, where they will represent Nebraska at the National Middle School Science Bowl competition April 30- May 5, 2009.
The runner-up was Elkhorn Ridge Middle School with Kuta Ganesan, Elyse Mancuso, Mallorie Wright, Chris Chavez, Alfred Grovis, and teacher/coach Matt Breitkreutz. Third place went to Robin Mickle Middle School with Chase Williby, Crew Keller, Jamison Linscott, Tanner Pfeiffer, Sarah Cink, and teacher/coach Joseph Rousseau.
Raymund Wunder of Goodrich Middle School won the “I’m Science Smart” medal for answering the most questions during the morning round-robin competition. Norris Middle School, with Terrill Murray, Zach Lundak, Jared Kaser, Ryan Reed, Tony Mainelli, and coach Betsy Barent, won the “Team Civility Award,” which recognizes a team for showing “grace under pressure” to exemplify good sportsman-like conduct.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) coordinates the Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chemistry Department. Over 75 volunteers were recruited by NRCS to help run the Science Bowl. Volunteers from Chemistry included Dr. Jim Carr, Leah Thompson, Bridget Foley, Dr. Pat Dussault, and recent alumni, Dr. Kausik Das.
Note to reporters: A photo of the winning team is available by contacting Joanna Pope at Joanna.pope@ne.usda.gov or by calling (402) 437-4123.
