For release: April 16 , 2007

Contacts: 
Steve Karsjen, Public Affairs, 515-294-5643

CENTRAL ACADEMY WINS AMES LAB/ISU SCIENCE BOWL

Eleanor Roosevelt of Dubuque places second

AMES, Iowa – Central Academy of Des Moines pulled off an emotionally charged victory over the weekend at the Regional Middle School Science Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University.

Sixteen teams of students from middle schools across the state of Iowa participated in the double-elimination tournament on Saturday, April 14 at ISU.  But in the end, only two teams, Central Academy of Des Moines and Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School of Dubuque, won the right to square off in the championship match. 

In game one of the championship, Eleanor Roosevelt jumped out to an early lead, answering questions in topical areas, such as earth science, physical science, life science, math, and general science.  At halftime, Eleanor Roosevelt had built an impressive 64 to 14 lead.  In the second half, Eleanor Roosevelt kept adding to its lead, ultimately dominating the game with a final score of 100 to 50.  But the victory did not end the competition.  Because Central Academy had come into the championship match undefeated and Eleanor Roosevelt had lost one game earlier in the day, it was up to Eleanor Roosevelt to defeat Central Academy a second time.   

In the second match, Central Academy jumped out to an early lead of 22-0, making it look like game two might be a blowout.  But Eleanor Roosevelt fought back and the two teams jockeyed to a 36-32 score at the half. A collective “whoa” from the audience was followed by a round of applause for the two well-matched adversaries.  After a short, two-minute break the teams were back at it.  Eleanor Roosevelt once again looked to be the favorite, quickly gaining the first four points of the second half, but then missing the bonus question and the opportunity to take the lead.  Central Academy then answered the next question correctly, plus the bonus, which made the score 50-36.  From there, Central Academy just kept on adding to its lead, eventually piling on another 42 points and, ultimately, claiming a decisive 92-48 victory. 

“They were tough,” said Central Academy’s Kenny Suh of his Eleanor Roosevelt competitors, a sentiment echoed by his teammate, Luchang Wang.

“We did the same thing two years ago.  We came into the championship undefeated, lost our first match and had to battle back to snatch the victory,” said a relieved Joyce Johnson, Central Academy’s coach.  “It appears to be tradition for us.” 

This is the third time in the four-year history of the Middle School Science Bowl that Central Academy has won the competition.  Third place in this year’s competition went to Notre Dame of Burlington.

For winning the Regional Middle School Science Bowl, Central Academy receives an all-expenses paid trip to the Department of Energy’s National Middle School Science Bowl in Denver, Colo., June 21-24.  If they place well there, they have the chance to bring home a cash reward for their school’s science program.

In addition to the academic portion of the competition, the middle school teams also vied for first place in the hydrogen fuel-cell model car race that was held the previous day, Friday, April 13.  Evans Middle School of Ottumwa, whose car dominated the race even after one of its wheels broke off early in the competition, won first place.  Second place went to South Hamilton Middle School of Jewell.

Ames Laboratory, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007, 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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