Gatton Academy Team-1 won the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl on February 19, 2016. Gatton will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Finals of DOE’s National Science Bowl® April 28 through May 2. Pictured, from left: Gatton's Taylor Young, Seth Marksberry, Will Hornsby, and Rohan Deshpande discuss a question during the final competition.

1st Place - Gatton Academy Team-1, from left: Derick B. Strode, Taylor Young, Rohan Deshpande, Seth Marksberry, Will Hornsby.

3rd Place - McCracken County High School, from left: David Dodd, Ethan Brown, Zack Stone, Zack Althouse, Charles Fountain (Barton Christmas-not shown).

2nd Place - Gatton Academy Team-2, from left: Derick B. Strode, Ayush Prasad, Patricia Thompson, Sherafghan Khan, John “Caleb” Stickney.

PADUCAH, Ky. – Gatton Academy Team-1 won the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl, the region’s foremost academic and scientific event for high school students, on February 19, 2016.  Gatton will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Finals of DOE’s National Science Bowl® April 28 through May 2.  While at the national competition, the students will also participate in science presentations and activities, as well as visit national monuments and museums.

Eighteen high school teams competed in the all-day Science Bowl tournament, a fast-paced question-and-answer contest in which teams were quizzed on their scientific knowledge of biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, physics, energy, and mathematics in a toss-up-bonus format.  Each team consisted of four students and an alternate.

“The Gatton Academy loves Science Bowl!” said Derick B. Strode, Gatton Academy High School Coach.  "We are so grateful to the Department of Energy.  All of the students' success is owed to their passion and dedication.”

Gatton Academy Team-2 finished second, and McCracken County High School finished third in the regional competition.  Other high schools competing were Ballard Memorial, Calloway County, Carlisle County, Crittenden County, Marshall County, Massac County (IL), Mayfield, Paducah Tilghman, Union County (KY), and West KY Home Schools United.  Some schools had more than one team competing.

The U.S. Department of Energy, University of Kentucky, and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Partnership hosted the annual Regional Science Bowl.  More than 50 volunteers organized and conducted the event, including DOE Paducah Site staff, DOE contractors, and members of the community.  Other sponsors and contributors included Ballard County Economic and Industrial Development Board, Fluor Paducah Deactivation Project, Paducah Water, Professional Project Services, Inc. (Pro2Serve), Beltline Electric, HealthWorks, and Paducah Economic Development.*

“The needs and opportunities facing our country today will result in numerous benefits for our youth that are interested in scientific or technical careers,” said Jennifer Woodard, DOE Paducah Site Lead.  “Majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math fields is a great return on investment for students because there are many career opportunities in the DOE complex.”

DOE’s Office of Science manages the NSB Finals competition.  More information is available on the NSB website: http://www.science.energy.gov/wdts/nsb/.

# DOE #

* Listing of participating organizations does not denote or imply endorsement by the Department of Energy, the United States Government, or any affiliated entity.