For release: April 4, 2006
Contacts:
Steve Karsjen, Ames Laboratory Public Affairs
(515) 294-5643, karsjen@ameslab.gov
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENTISTS HEADED FOR AMES
16 teams to compete in 3rd Annual Regional Middle School Science Bowl
AMES, Iowa – Concentrating on a small network of tubes and wires, a scientist fastens one last wire to a terminal and waits for the results. Almost immediately, a gas bubble snakes through the tubing, followed by another and another, collecting in a small, graduated vial nearby.
The experiment is real, but the scientists in this case are middle school students from across Iowa. Their “laboratory” will be State Gym at Iowa State University as they take part in the first stage of the two-day Ames Laboratory/ISU Regional Middle School Science Bowl, April 7-8. Sixteen teams of students will assemble and race miniature hydrogen fuel-cell cars on Friday, then compete in an academic quiz bowl on Saturday.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring sixth through eighth graders to ISU and stimulate their interest in science and engineering through hands-on experience with the fuel-cell cars,” said Science Bowl coordinator and Ames Lab Public Affairs manager Steve Karsjen. “The academic competition helps boost their knowledge of science and math.”
During the competition, the middle school students will have an opportunity to interact with ISU students, faculty and Ames Lab staff. Members of ISU’s Solar Car Project, Team PrISUm, and the student chapter of the American Society of Materials will work with the middle schoolers during the fuel-cell car challenge. Friday evening, the ISU Materials Advantage club will provide its unique brand of flashy and noisy science entertainment. On Saturday, students, staff and faculty will serve as moderators, judges, score keepers and timekeepers for the question-and-answer portion of the competition.
The Ames Laboratory/ISU Regional competition, sponsored by 3M, RockwellCollins, Pella, the Dow Corning Foundation, Hach, and Hy-Vee, is one of 24 regionals held nationwide by the U.S. Department of Energy. The top team from each regional will advance to the National Middle School Science Bowl, June 21-24, in Denver, Colo. General Motors is a corporate partner for the national event.
Teams competing in the 2006 Ames Laboratory/ISU Regional Science Bowl are:
Anthon-Oto-Maple Valley
Berg (Newton)
Boone
Evans (Ottumwa)
Home Schools of Cedar Rapids
LeMars
McKinley (Cedar Rapids)
Mediapolis
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Miller (Marshalltown)
New Hartford-Dike
Notre Dame (Burlington)
South Hamilton (Jewell)
St. Joseph (Des Moines)
Urbandale
Waverly-Shell Rock
Woodside (Saydel-Des Moines)
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SCHEDULE
3rd Annual Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University
REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE BOWL
Friday, April 7 (State Gym)
12:30 pm
1:00
1:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
6:00
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Registration, State Gym
Welcome: Steve Karsjen, Science Bowl Coordinator
Hydrogen and Solar presentations
Build and race cars, State Gym
Campus walking tour (ISU Ambassadors)
Free pizza, Hoover atrium
Performance by Materials Advantage (ISU student group), 2055 Hoover auditorium
Back to State Gym parking lot.
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Saturday, April 8 (Hoover, Howe & Marston Halls)
7:30 am
8:00
8:30
10:00
10:30
11:30
12:30 pm
3:00
3:30
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Arrive at Hoover Hall: use parking lots #21 (west of the Armory)
or #9 (west of the Design College)
Check-in at the Hoover atrium
Coffee, juice and doughnuts provided
Welcome: Ames Lab Director Tom Barton
Rules review and announcements, Steve Karsjen
Pool-play matches begin
Regroup in Hoover atrium to prepare for double elimination
Double-elimination matches begin
Free lunch (provided for students, coaches and volunteers only), Union Drive Dining
Continue double-elimination matches
Championship match (a tiebreaker will follow if needed)*, 2055 Hoover (auditorium)
Presentation of awards for both academic competition and fuel-cell car challenge*, 2055 Hoover (auditorium)
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Ames Laboratory is operated for the Department of Energy by Iowa State University. The Lab conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental cleanup and restoration, and the synthesis and study of new materials.
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Note to editors: A press release with the results of the competition will be issued Monday, April 10. Photos of the winning team from the fuel-cell car challenge and the top three finishers in the academic quiz bowl will be available also. If you are interested in receiving images, please contact Kerry Gibson, (515) 294-1405 or kgibson@ameslab.gov.
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