To ensure that today’s brightest students become tomorrow’s scientific leaders, President Bush announced the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) in 2006. This initiative increases investment in research and development, strengthens science and math education, and encourages entrepreneurship and technology discovery. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Science Bowl exemplifies how children who are engaged, encouraged, and equipped with proper resources can succeed academically. The goal of the ACI – and the National Science Bowl – is to invest in our next generation of scientists, engineers and educators so America can remain at the forefront of innovation and successfully compete in the 21st century global marketplace.

DOE’s National Science Bowl attracts more than 17,000 students nationwide. At the high school level, it involves more than 12,000 students and at the middle school level, more than 5,000 competitors. The mission of the National Science Bowl is to encourage students to excel in science and math, and to pursue careers in those fields. It is the only science competition in the United States sponsored by a federal agency.