The winning team as the regional champion will travel to Washington, D.C. from April 28 to May 2 to represent the city and compete at the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl, where it will face 69 other teams from more than 40 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.  LADWP regional championship teams have among the best records in the U.S. at the National Science Bowl, having won four national titles and placing among the top five teams 11 times.  The trip to Washington, D.C. is funded by the Department of Energy.

Science Bowl demonstrates the 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 and technology in a fun competitive atmosphere following a television game show format.

The Science Bowl provides a venue that demonstrates through competition that science, math and technology are as exciting as sports.  The program enables students to showcase their talents and sharpen their academic skills.

Each year a different theme is chosen for the LADWP Science Bowl that highlights an important science, technological innovation or individual. In 2014, the theme was the the 50th anniversary of the Theory of Quarks. For 2015, the theme was the International Year of Light. The LADWP Science Bowl Region theme for 2016 is the 350th Anniversary of the Theory of Gravity.

At this year’s competition, students will vie for a combined $25,000 science awards which include college scholarships and prizes for their respective schools. First place team members will receive $1,000 Hitachi Scholarships as well as $2,000 for their school.  Some teams will compete in the Water and Power Community Credit Union Hands-On Competition.

This year, Science Bowl sponsors include not only LADWP and the U.S. Department of Energy, but also the Hitachi Southern California Regional Community Action Committee, the Water and Power Community Credit Union and its celebration of its 80th anniversary. Other sponsors include the Gas Company, Gelson’s Markets,  the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Industrial Applications Society, Metro LA Chapter, Office Depot, and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

LADWP is the largest municipally-owned utility in the nation with more than 1.4 million customers. It has provided utility services to residents and businesses in the city of Los Angeles for more than a century. It is only one of a few coordinating regional Science Bowl sponsors that is a utility.

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