LADWP Science Bowl XXV Set for Saturday, Feb. 25

LA’s Top Students Compete for Science Championship and Trip to Washington, DC

The winning team as the regional champion will travel to Washington, DC from April 27 to May 1 to represent the city at the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl, where it will compete in a field of 70 teams from 40 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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 11 times. The trip to Washington, D.C. is funded by the U.S. 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.

“Science Bowl showcases Los Angeles academic strength in science, math and technology. LADWP is proud to continually host this event, which encourages students to pursue studies and careers in technical fields vital to the future success of the Department and the city,” said David H. Wright, general manager.

Each year a different theme is chosen for the LADWP Science Bowl that highlights an important, science, technological innovation or individual. In 2016 the theme was the 350^th Anniversary of the Theory of Gravity. In 2015, the theme was the International Year of Light.  The 2014 theme was the 50^th Anniversary of the Theory of Quarks.  The 2017 theme is 1917-2017, LADWP. 100 Years of Providing Power to Los Angeles.  

At this year’s competition, students will vie for $25,000 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 $2,000 for their school. Some teams will compete in the Water and Power Community Credit Union Hands-On Competition.

Since its inception in 1991, about 265,000 middle and high school students have competed at regional competitions as part of National Science Bowl program in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This year, LADWP Science Bowl sponsors include not only LADWP and the U.S. Department of Energy, but also the Water and Power Community Credit Union, Hitachi Southern California Regional Community Action Committee, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Industrial Applications Society Metro Los Angeles Chapter, Office Depot and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

In addition to Science Bowl, other LADWP-sponsored education programs include the Times in Education Program, Academic Decathlon Student Training Workshops, Adopt-A-School Program, a Water Quality Teacher Workshop, Electric Safety Lessons for elementary schools, live theater plays in schools on water resources, conservation and energy efficiency as well as several other grant funded education efforts conducted by non-profit organizations.

LADWP is the largest municipally-owned utility in the nation with more than 1.5 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.