LOS ANGELES (February 22, 2020) — Showcasing an outstanding grasp of advanced science, math and technology concepts, quick reflexes and grace under pressure, North Hollywood High School won the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) 28th Annual Science Bowl Regional Competition held today in downtown Los Angeles. This was North Hollywood’s 21st regional title in the last 23 years.
Team members from North Hollywood High School Team each receive the $1,000 Hitachi Scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC from April 30 to May 4 to represent the City of Los Angeles and compete at the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl. The trip is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. The team will compete in a field of 65 high school regional champions from 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. A total of nine teams from California will participate.
North Hollywood High School was also awarded the first place Melinda Rho Memorial Trophy named in memory of the late volunteer who passed away during spring 2019, and was involved in all aspects of the Science Bowl for more than 25 years. She served as the LADWP Manager of Regulatory Affairs in the Water Quality Division, ensuring the safety of the city’s water supply.
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School placed second in the competition. The winner of the third place trophy was Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, while Harvard-Westlake School placed fourth.
Teams also demonstrated problem-solving and time management skills during the Water and Power Community Credit Union Hands-On Competition. Each year teams tackle a different challenge. This year teams solved several puzzles and used various materials to also build a tower.
In the hands-on competition, The Science Academy STEM Magnet Team B was the recipient of the first place Franklin Lu Hands-On Trophy, presented in memory of the late LADWP engineer and Science Bowl volunteer. Team members also received a $250 scholarship. The second place scholarship award was presented to Downtown Business Magnet High School Team B. Third and fourth place scholarships were awarded to Venice High School Team B and Cathedral High School Team B respectively. This year the Water and Power Community Credit Union sponsored all the scholarships in the hands-on competition.
Science Bowl is a proud LADWP tradition and an example of the Department’s commitment to the Los Angeles community. Each year, LADWP Science Bowl tests the region’s sharpest students’ reflexes, teamwork skills and knowledge in a fun competitive atmosphere using a television game show format that involves answering toss-up and bonus questions, buzzers and timed responses.
In addition to LADWP and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, sponsors of this year’s Science Bowl included the Hitachi Southern California Regional Community Action Committee, the Water and Power Community Credit Union, Office Depot, Gelson’s Markets, and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The event was also made possible through the efforts of more than 100 volunteers, mainly LADWP employees, their families and past Science Bowl participants.
The National Science Bowl is among the nation’s largest science-based academic competitions and the only one sponsored by a federal agency. Since its inception in 1991, more than 305,000 students have participated in the program.
In addition to Science Bowl, other LADWP-sponsored education programs include the Los Angeles Times in Education Program, LAUSD Academic Decathlon Student Workshops, Adopt-A-School Program, Youth Service Academy, and electric safety lessons and website for elementary schools. Also live theater plays in schools on water resources and conservation and an-in-school water conservation and energy efficiency program are conducted on behalf of LADWP under sponsorships of two non-profit organizations. LADWP is also involved in an alliance with other utilities to enhance the pathway of students from school to careers.
LADWP is one of only a few utilities in the nation that serves as a coordinating regional Science Bowl sponsor and host. The LADWP is the nation’s largest municipally-owned utility and has provided water and energy services to the residents and businesses in the City of Los Angeles for 1.5 million electric and 680,000 water customers.
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Contact:
Walter Zeisl
LADWP Manager of Education Outreach
Office phone: (213) 367-1342
Cell: (213) 923-6468
