Idaho high schools compete for state titles and trip to National Science Bowl

About 800 Idaho high school students representing 79 high schools will put brain power to work over the next 30 days in an attempt to capture one of three state championships and berths at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., May 1-6.

The INL Scholastic Tournament is in its 18th year, and with its 79 high schools is the largest of the 67 regional tournaments across the U.S. and Virgin Islands. The competition is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory.

The Idaho Scholastic Tournament schedule is:

The North Regional tournament, Feb. 25 - 26, at the University of Idaho's Student Commons Building. Competition begins Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. and on Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The West Regional tournament, March 3 - 4, at Boise State University's Student Union Building. Competition begins March 3 at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on March 4 at 11 a.m.

The East Regional tournament, March 10 - 11, at the University Place Student Union Building in Idaho Falls. Competition begins March 10 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and March 11 at 10 a.m.

Since its inception in 1991, the National Science Bowl has attracted more than 138,000 high school students in the "Jeopardy-style" contest, and about 13,000 more are expected to join the competition this year.

In Idaho, high schools will compete in one of three divisions based on school enrollment. Twenty-eight teams will emerge from the local competitions and move on to the state championship tournament March 18-19 in Boise. The championship team of each division will be crowned following matches videotaped at Idaho Public Television on March 19 and broadcast on Saturday, March 22.

The competition is set up similar to sporting events with round-robin and consolation format tournaments. Teams consist of as many as 10 members, with seven competing at a given time and three substitutes. The fast-paced question-and-answer event awards points to teams quickest to "buzz in" and answer the most questions correctly.

INL Scholastic Tournament receives financial support from Micron Foundation, Westmark Credit Union and Idaho Power.

INL is one of the DOE's 10 multiprogram national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of the strategic goal areas of DOE: energy, national security, science and environment. Specifically, INL is the nation's leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

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