University
of Maryland to Host Maryland State Middle School Science Bowl Competition
Educational Technology Outreach, within the College of Education at
the University of Maryland and The Patriot’s Technology Center
will host the State Middle School Academic Science Bowl Competition on
May 5, 2006. 12 teams of 4 middle school students from Maryland will
compete in the event. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
and General Motors (GM), the National Middle School Science Bowl challenges
sixth to eighth grade students to learn about math and science and encourages
them to choose careers in these fields. Any current public, private,
or home school student (in grades 6 to 8, ages 10 to 14) may form a team
and participate in a Regional Science Bowl. Teams consist of four students
and may have one alternate team member. The Science Bowl is a fast-paced
question-and-answer contest where students answer questions about earth
science, physical science, life science, math, and general science. The
winning team goes on to compete at the national competition held in Denver,
Colorado in June for the national title.
On May 5th we will begin at 9 AM with Linda Gooden, President of
Lockheed Martin presenting the keynote address. Teams will participate
in Round
Robin and Tie Breaker rounds in the morning. Elimination and Final Rounds
will take place after lunch, concluding with awards ceremony. The event
is open to the public.
There are two competitions at the National Middle School Science Bowl
- an academic math and science competition and a model fuel cell car
competition. The model fuel cell car competition challenges students
to design, build, and race model cars. This phase was held earlier in
April at The Patriot’s Technology Training Center. The scores are
combined to determine the winning team that will represent Maryland at
the National Competition. The national event includes a day of academic
competition and a day of hands-on science and engineering when the teams
design, build, and race model cars. Awards at the national level are
given for both the academic and "hands-on" competitions.
With studies showing the number of students interested in learning science
and technology continuously decreases throughout middle school and into
high school, this event is part of an effort to retain students in STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) fields through programs that
educate and motivate.
“We are excited to be a part of the state effort to help promote
the scientific and engineering workforce that the U.S. will need to remain
at the forefront of scientific advances, technological innovation and
economic competitiveness for the future. The Middle School Science Bowl
serves to encourage young people to enhance their science and mathematics
skills—and, we hope, to become our future leaders in these critical
areas."
The program includes a full day of round robin and double elimination
competition. Beginning at 8 AM in the Benjamin Building, students will
answer tough questions about life sciences, physical science, earth sciences
and math that could stump most of the U.S. adult population.
To learn more about the State Middle School Science Bowl Competition
contact Davina Pruitt-Mentle, Director, Educational Technology Outreach,
at: dpruitt@umd.edu.
More about the Science Bowl can be found at: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nmsb/default.htm
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