GORHAM – Five students from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics competed in the U.S. Department of Energy Regional Science Bowl, taking home the title of regional champions, on March 4.
Teams gathered at the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus representing high schools from Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The science bowl is a nationally renowned event that celebrates educational challenge and, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, “encourages student involvement in math and science activities, improves career options in science and technology, and provides an avenue of enrichment and reward for academic science achievement.”
Led by the biology instructor and coach, Susan Buraceski, Captain Scott Morrison, senior Whitney Bouchard, senior Lou Zellinger, senior Justin Haines and junior David Witmer represented the Limestone school.
The five students are leaders and/or student representatives in the school community and embody the intellect, drive and persistence it requires to be a successful student at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics.
Bouchard said the team began preparations for the bowl on the six-hour drive to the competition and continued their practice session over an iron and ironing board. While pressing their school signature black suits, shirts and ties, they drilled each other on potential competition questions. The team was labeled by a Science Bowl judge as the “best dressed” at the event.
The morning competition began with a round robin in which the MSSM team participated in five matches against five schools. Knowledge and skills are quizzed on seven topics, including chemistry, biology, physics, math, astronomy, general science and earth science.
Buraceski said, “The team was undefeated throughout the competition and never trailed to an opponent.” Members outscored ConVan in the semifinals and took the title of regional science bowl champions after outscoring Bangor 114 to 54 in the final round.
The team will travel to Washington, D.C., to contend for the title of National Science Bowl Champions. The students are meeting twice a week to prepare for the competition on April 27.
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