LA’s Best Science Scholars Compete for Science Championship and Spot in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl
LOS ANGELES (February 17, 2021) — On Saturday, February 20, 2021, 42 teams made up of more than 200 of the city’s top science students from 24 public, private, parochial and charter high schools, will compete at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Science Bowl Regional Competition.
The winning team, as regional champions, will participate at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl where members will compete virtually in a field of 63 teams from all across the country.
LADWP regional championship teams have among the best records at the National Science Bowl, compared to other regional areas, having won four national titles and placing among the top five teams 14 times. Last year, North Hollywood High School placed among the top four teams after it placed third place in 2019 and second in 2018.
The LADWP Science Bowl demonstrates LADWP’s commitment to the city’s youth and the Los Angeles educational community. A proud LADWP tradition, Science Bowl tests students’ reflexes, teamwork skills and knowledge of science, math, technology and related current events in a fun competitive atmosphere.
“The Science Bowl Program encourages students from all backgrounds and parts of the city to pursue studies and careers in the STEM fields – science, technology, mathematics and engineering,” said LADWP General Manager Martin L Adams. “Our hope is that when they enter the workforce in a few years, Science Bowl competitors will seek employment with LADWP and the city of Los Angeles. Staff with strong technical skills is essential to our success.”
Each year a different theme is chosen for the LADWP Science Bowl that highlights an important, science, technological innovation or individual. This year the theme is “Saluting Medical Professionals, Scientists and Essential Workers Combating Covid-19.” Last year the theme commemorated the 50th anniversary of the start of Earth Day and in 2019 the theme was the 50th Anniversary of Man Landing on the Moon.
At this year’s competition, students will vie for $22,500 in science awards which include college scholarships and prizes for their schools. First place team members will each receive the $1,000 Hitachi Scholarship as well as $3,000 for their school. The first-place school trophy is named for the late LADWP water quality regulatory affairs manager and longtime science bowl volunteer Melinda Rho who passed away in 2019.
Since its inception in 1991, more than 315,000 middle and high school students have competed at regional competitions as part of National Science Bowl programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year, more than 9,000 high school students and 5,000 middle school students are participating in one of 108 regional tournaments around the nation.
This year, LADWP Science Bowl sponsors include not only LADWP and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, but also the Water and Power Community Credit Union, Hitachi Southern California Regional Community Action Committee, and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
In addition to Science Bowl, other LADWP-sponsored education programs include the Times in Education Program, Adopt-A-School Program, virtual presentations on careers as well as electric safety lessons for elementary schools. Also, live virtual and digital presentations on water resources, conservation and energy efficiency are conducted on behalf of LADWP under sponsorships of two non-profit organizations.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the nation’s largest municipal utility, with a 7,880 megawatt (MW) electric capacity and serving an average of 438 million gallons of water per day to the 4 million residents of the City of Los Angeles, its businesses and visitors. For more than 100 years, LADWP has provided the city with reliable water and power service in a cost effective and environmentally responsible manner.
It is only one of a few coordinating regional Science Bowl sponsors that is a utility.
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LADWP Science Bowl Contact:
Walter Zeisl, Manager of Education Outreach
walter.zeisl@ladwp.com
(213) 923-6468
