The experience of Westview High School’s Team 1 carried them to victory over the younger Westview Team 2. Team 1 heads to Washington, D.C., this spring to compete in the Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl competition. This is the fifth consecutive year a Westview team has won the BPA Regional Science Bowl. Shown here (left to right): Ben Chiu, Grant Chen, Justin Yang, Justin Bao, Eric Tong, coach Fabian Mak.
The final round of the 27th annual Bonneville Power Administration Regional Science Bowl was a close match that ultimately came down to experienced competitors versus the new kids.
“The final round coming down to Westview High Schools ‘seniors’ versus the ‘up-and-comers’ was pretty exhilarating,” said Kari Hay, BPA operations research analyst and moderator of the final round.
The final score of 42-40 meant Westview 1 finished the double-elimination tournament undefeated, just edging out Westview 2.
“I think the seniority and experience of the older team really carried the day,” said Hay. “Their cadence never stumbled, they never felt panicky, and their subtle sense of humor never left as they had fun with how they answered. Geek humor is the best humor.”
Michael Holst (left) and Kari Hayes (right) served as volunteer judge and moderator respectively during the final rounds of competition during the 27th annual BPA Regional Science Bowl. “I am always so impressed with how many teams show up and the good sportsmanship,” said Hay, a former science bowl team coach and six-time event volunteer. “Energy was high this year! Westview’s teams were dominant, of course, but Sunset, Mountain View, Jesuit were also amazing.”
It was the fifth consecutive win for teams from Westview High School. As champions, the Westview 1 team receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, they and second and third place finishers, Westview 2 and Sunset High School’s Team 1 respectively, all qualify for more than $300,000 in scholarships from 17 universities and colleges in the Northwest.
The Bonneville Power Administration 2018 Regional Science Bowl began early on Feb. 10, as 62 teams from public and private high schools across western Washington and Oregon, arrived at the University of Portland. After check in and welcoming remarks in the auditorium, teams headed out to begin a full morning of round-robin competition.
On Feb. 3, the 2018 BPA Regional Science Bowl featured competitors from 64 middle schools. Last year’s champions from Odle Middle School of Bellevue, Washington, once again came out on top. Two more Washington teams rounded out the top three: Evergreen Middle School from Redmond, and Vancouver’s Shahala Middle School.
“This is the STEM state championship,” said Heather Bain, BPA Regional Science Bowl coordinator. “Watching these brilliant kids compete, makes the months of planning worth it.”
The BPA Regional Science Bowl is the largest regional science bowl event in the nation. It tests students’ knowledge in all aspects of science including math, geology, chemistry, physics and environmental science. It is one way to engage and encourage students to become the scientists and innovators so critical to the energy industry.
“Whether we want to get to Mars, survive climate change, cure diseases or build a better battery, the people who will solve those problems are sitting in classrooms right now,” said Hay. “Give kids successes to celebrate, help them see the big picture of what they are learning rather than just a page full of formulas, keep classrooms dynamic and inclusive and interesting.”
Hay went on to say that, “Representation matters. Letting students see people studying and working in STEM fields that look like them, come from backgrounds like them, who talk and sound like them, will go far to keep students interested.”
The 2018 BPA Regional Science Bowl was sponsored by the University of Portland, Vernier Software & Technology, and ID Technology.