For release: July 3, 2006

Contacts: 
Steve Karsjen , Public Affairs,
(515) 294-5643

EVANS MIDDLE SCHOOL SHINES AT NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE BOWL

Team wins $500 for the school's science department

AMES, IA – Students from Evans Middle School in Ottumwa, Iowa, walked away with a fourth place finish in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Middle School Science Bowl and a check for $500 for their school.

Evans Middle School was one of 25 teams from around the country that earned the right to compete in the National Middle School Science Bowl, in Denver, Colorado, June 21-24. The Middle School Science Bowl is a competition for students in grades 6-8. It pits student teams against one another in a fast-paced science and math academic competition that tests student knowledge in fields, such as life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences and math. The teams advance to Nationals after first winning regional Science Bowl competitions in their respective states. Evans won the Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University Middle School Science Bowl, which was held April 7-8 at ISU.

During the morning round-robin phase of the competition, the Evans team of Estefany Garcia, Andrew Kaake, Samantha Robertson, Jake Swanson and Jacqueline Vonderhaar squared off against five other teams, winning three of their matches. In the afternoon, the team advanced to the double-elimination portion of the competition, coming up against what Evans coach Sue Happel described as “intense” competition. Evans lost its two double-elimination matches to the teams that went on to win first and second place in the competition. As one of the “top eight” teams in the competition, Evans received a check for $500. “We told the students we were very proud of them,” said Happel.

This has been a financially rewarding year for the winners of both the Ames Laboratory/ISU Middle School and High School Science Bowls. In addition to the $500 won by Evans, Regina Education Center of Iowa City, Iowa, the team that advanced to the National High School Science Bowl, won $1,000 for being one of the competitions “top 16 teams.” The National High School Science Bowl was held in Washington, D.C., in May.

“We are extremely pleased with the accomplishments of both of our Science Bowl teams,” said Steve Karsjen, coordinator of the Ames Laboratory/ISU Science Bowl. “The success of our students on the national level indicates the seriousness with which they approach our science and math competitions. We are delighted to provide opportunities that promote student excellence in science and math in Iowa.”

The Basic Energy Sciences Office of the DOE’s Office of Science funds Ames Laboratory’s research on metamaterials. Ames Laboratory is operated for the Department of Energy by Iowa State University. The Lab conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental cleanup and restoration, and the synthesis and study of new materials.

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