1st Place Henderson County North Middle School, from left: (Top) Deegan Lawrence, Coach Chris Fifer and D.J. Banks. (Bottom) Luke Payne, Alex Chandler and Nick Cissell (not pictured).

PADUCAH, Ky. – Henderson County North Middle School won the U.S. Department of Energy’s West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl February 6, 2015 during competition among 12 middle school teams. The team will represent western Kentucky in the middle school competition of DOE’s National Science Bowl®, held in Washington, D.C. from April 30 through May 4.

While at the national competition, Henderson County North Middle School will compete in the same fast-paced, question-and-answer format that was used in the regional competition, and will compete in an Electric Car Competition. The students also will visit national monuments and museums.

Calloway County Middle School finished second, and Paducah Middle School finished third in the regional competition, held at Crounse Hall on the University of Kentucky College of Engineering – Paducah Campus.

“The students studied the provided questions after school every Friday, which led to our success,” said team coach Chris Fifer. Team members were: Co-captains Deegan Lawrence and D.J. Banks, Luke Payne, Alex Chandler and Nick Cissell.

Other middle schools competing were: Ballard County Middle School, Cairo Jr./Sr. High School, Calloway County Middle School, Eldorado Middle School, Heath Middle School, Henderson County North Middle School, Lone Oak Middle School, Lyon County Middle School, Marion Jr. High School, Paducah Middle School, St. Mary School System, and Trigg County Middle School.

The DOE National Science Bowl® challenges students’ knowledge in all areas of science, including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and math. Middle school student teams consist of four students, one alternate, and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach.

DOE, University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Partnership, West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Ballard County Economic and Industrial Development Board, Fluor Federal Services Paducah Deactivation Project, Paducah Water, and Professional Project Services, Inc. (Pro2Serve) sponsor the West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl.

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/.