The competition follows a game show format in which students are tested on their knowledge in the STEM fields. (photo courtesy of the LADWP)

More than 160 students in 34 teams representing 21 public, private, parochial and charter high schools will compete in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Science Bowl on Saturday, March 4, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the utility’s downtown headquarters, 111 N. Hope Street. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

The winning team, which will be the regional champion, will travel to Washington, D.C., from April 27 to May 1 to represent the city at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl. Members will compete in a field of 65 teams from more than 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

LADWP regional championship teams have won five national titles and have placed among the top five teams 15 times. The trip to Washington, D.C., and the events related to the national competition, are funded and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.

A proud LADWP tradition, the Science Bowl tests students’ reflexes, teamwork skills and knowledge of science, math, technology and current events in a fun competitive atmosphere. The competition uses a television game show format.

“One of the main goals of the Science Bowl Program is to encourage students from all backgrounds and parts of the city to pursue studies and careers in the STEM fields – math, science, IT and especially engineering,” LADWP general manager Martin L. Adams said. “As they enter the workforce, we hope that some Science Bowl competitors in future years will seek employment with LADWP and the city of Los Angeles. Hiring employees with strong technical skills is essential to our success.”

A different theme is chosen each year for the LADWP Science Bowl highlighting a specific science, technological innovation or individual. This year the theme is “Science Sparks Imagination.”

Students will compete for $25,000 in science awards including college scholarships and prizes for their schools. First place team members will each receive a $1,000 Hitachi Scholarship as well as $3,000 for their school. The first-place school trophy is named for the late science bowl volunteer and water quality regulatory affairs manager Melinda Rho, who died in spring 2019. The science judge chair will be named for the late chief science judge Timothy Hemming, who died last year.

Since 1991, more than 330,000 middle and high school students have competed at regional competitions as part of the National Science Bowl program. This year, 9,500 high school students and 5,000 middle school students will participate throughout the country.

For information, visit ladwp.com.