BPA’s regional Science Bowl middle school champion wins national competition

BPA‘s regional middle school Science Bowl champion and first-time competitor, BASIS Independent Bellevue in Washington state, emerged victorious as the winner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national competition. The $5,000 prize money they earned will fund science supplies for their team and school.

"The true champions of the National Science Bowl are not just those who know the answers, but those who have the curiosity and determination to keep asking questions and seeking new knowledge,” said BASIS Independent Bellevue coach Liping Ke. “As we celebrate the 2023 winners, we also express our heartfelt gratitude to the event's organizers, volunteers and funders.”

The Science Bowl is a fast-paced academic competition that tests student knowledge in all aspects of science, encompassing math, geology, chemistry, energy, physics, environmental science and more. 

Each year, the high school and middle school winners of BPA’s regional competitions receive an all-expense paid trip courtesy of DOE’s Office of Science to Washington, D.C., to compete at the national level. In addition to two fast-paced days of competition, the teams explore the national monuments, museums and other cultural experiences.

Before the start of the national competition, DOE deputy secretary David M. Turk addressed the competitors, encouraging them to become leaders in science, to be “part of the team that solves humanity’s toughest challenges” and to help the nation reach its goal of zero emissions by 2050. 

For more insight into the multi-day event, visit the DOE’s National Science Bowl website on a non-BPA personal device to view the Flickr photo album.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see a BPA regional champion take home the National Science Bowl,” said Dan James, Science Bowl volunteer and BPA’s chief workforce and strategy officer. “My admiration goes out to the BASIS Independent Bellevue team for their hard work and dedication. Those students are true competitors, and their hunger for knowledge is what will make them great STEM field leaders in the years to come.”

For more information and to stay up to date on BPA’s 2024 Science Bowl events, visit BPA’s regional Science Bowl webpage.