An Oak Ridge High School team won first place in the 2017 Tennessee Science Bowl. Pictured above from left to right with their trophy are, front row, Coach Sharon Thomas, Henry Shen, and Wilson Huang; and back row, Stephen Qu, Joe Andress, and Adi Sujithkumar. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)
After months of dogged determination to expand their knowledge of math and science, hone their competition skills, and function as a seamless unit, 60 high school teams from across the state of Tennessee gathered this past weekend to challenge their knowledge in broad science disciplines including chemistry, biology, physics, and energy to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy annual Tennessee Science Bowl.
Although fiercely competitive, only one school emerged the winner. That was Oak Ridge High School, which placed first and received an all-expenses-paid trip to the DOE National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. The National Science Bowl will be held April 27-May 1. The ORHS team also received a $1,000 cash prize and a first-place trophy.
The Tennessee Science Bowl is the nation’s third-largest regional competition. Held at Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County Campus, the regional bowl prepares students to compete nationally with other exceptional students from schools across the country, a DOE press release said.
Cash prizes and trophies were also awarded to the following schools:
- Cedar Springs Homeschool, Knoxville, for second place ($750)
- Signal Mountain High School, Signal Mountain, for third place ($500)
- Brentwood High School, Brentwood, for fourth place ($250).
The Civility Award, given each year to the team with the best sportsmanship throughout the competition, was awarded to Bartlett High School, Memphis ($100 and a trophy).
“The Tennessee Science Bowl continues to draw remarkably groups of students from across the state,†said DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory Site Office Manager Johnny Moore. “I am more impressed every year by the immense dedication shown by the participating students, teachers, and coaches. It is important to our nation that we provide our youth with opportunities to become passionate about the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Participating in challenges like the Tennessee Science Bowl helps develop our future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who one day may solve one of the world’s problems.”
Major sponsors of the Tennessee Science Bowl include the Department of Energy-Office of Science, ORAU, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and Pellissippi State Community College. The Tennessee Valley Authority, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, and the Radio Systems Corporation have also provided major financial support. For a full listing of sponsors, as well as photos, videos, and additional information, please visit www.orau.gov/sciencebowl.
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