Science Bowl Team places 4th in Kern County Regional
The Science Bowl A Team consists of (from left) Kyle De Matias, Gracielle Li, Jessica Jen, Claire Livengood, Justin Roberts. Photo contributed
The entire Science Bowl team poses at CSU Bakersfield after their competition. Photo contributed
The AHS Science Bowl team took fourth place out of 32 teams in the Kern County Regional Competition on Feb. 9 at CSU Bakersfield.
There are three teams that are a part of the Science Bowl for AHS ran by Mr. Forte and Ms. Ryburn. The A team (Jessica Jen, Kyle de Matias, Claire Livengood, Justin Roberts, and Gracielle Li) placed fourth in the regional tournament after going undefeated in the morning round robin. The B team (Erika Cadwising, Jayden Roberts, Rivaldo Guerrero, Raul Cordova, and Aziz Bassil) had three wins, three losses, and one tie in the morning rounds and did not compete in the afternoon double-eliminations. The C team (Moselle Stieler, Dariene Delgado-Medrano, Rory Kien, and Christian Maypa) did not get to compete because of space limitations.
The Kern County Regional has a morning round robin and afternoon double eliminations. The round robin has four brackets of eight teams each. Every team has five people with four playing at each time, but can switch around during half time. The top two scoring teams from each bracket move on to the afternoon double-elimination rounds, where once a team loses twice, they are eliminated from the competition. Within the rounds themselves, there are two eight-minute sessions with a two-minute half time. Moderators read toss-up questions that are each worth four points on varying subjects and individuals buzz in to answer. The team that gets the toss-up correct also gets a 10 point bonus. In preparation for the Kern County Regional, Atascadero hosted its first scrimmage on Feb. 2 against the West High School Science Bowl teams.
Prior to their competition, the AHS Science Bowl team met every Wednesday during lunch to go over logistics, updates, and some packet practice, while their main practice was during Study Halls. According to senior Jessica Jen, captain, each member specializes in one or two subjects and the team combines the knowledge to answer as many questions as possible. “This program is a way for me to explore my own appreciation for science along with people who share a similar love for STEM,” said Jen. She started the team last year with the majority of A Team and plans to leave a legacy of Science Bowl at AHS. “I truly adore being able to create an environment where people who love STEM are able to interact and share what their interests are,” said senior Kyle De Matias (also captain). The team is in the process of organizing events for the coming years when the majority of this year’s team will have graduated. Those interested in joining the Science Bowl team for next year’s competition are invited to contact chemistry teacher Mr. Forte (johnforte@atasusd.org).