SU STEP team wins high school Science Bowl Civility Award at this year’s U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl

SU STEP team wins high school Science Bowl Civility Award at this year’s U.S. Department of Energy National Science BowlMay 14, 2009Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

A team of high school students in the Syracuse University-sponsored Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) won the high school Science Bowl Civility Award for outstanding sportsmanship at this year’s U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Science Bowl. The competition took place at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 4.

The National Science Bowl? is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science. High school and middle school students are quizzed in a fast-paced question-and-answer format similar to the television program “Jeopardy.” Competing teams from diverse backgrounds are composed of four students, one alternate and a teacher who serves as an advisor/coach.

Team members are Hadjer Sahraoui (freshman, Jamesville-Dewitt High School), Iryonna Scruggs (junior, Liverpool High School), Devante Watson (freshman, Nottingham High School), Melquea Smith (freshman, Syracuse Academy of Science High School) and Nour El-Houda Sahraoui (senior, Jamesville-Dewitt High School) and coach Sarah Sahraoui, a 2008 bio-technology graduate of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and STEP program teacher, who worked with team members to prepare for the challenge.

As part of their award, the team won a trip this summer to the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Southwestern Colorado.

“I am so proud of my students,” says Leonese Nelson, SU STEP program director. “I considered them winners before arriving in Washington, D.C., for the National Science Bowl. Their dedication, hard work and love of learning enabled them to win the Civility Award. We are looking forward to next year!”

DOE launched its National Science Bowl competition in 1991 to encourage high school students to excel in science and math and to pursue careers in those fields. The National Science Bowl’s high school competition now involves more than 13,000 students. The National Science Bowl is the only science competition in the United States sponsored by a federal agency.

About Syracuse University STEP

Syracuse University STEP provides academic support services and enrichment activities to students in grades 7-12. Students acquire the skills necessary for entry into pre-professional degree programs in scientific, technical and health-related fields through hands-on activities that have real-life implications. The STEP Saturday Learning Academy/Enrichment Program offers advising, counseling, math and science academic instruction, tutorials, mentoring, college preparation, professional development and other academic services such as field trips, workshops and cultural awareness programs.

Students in SU STEP come from schools within the Syracuse City School District and four other Central New York school districts. For more information about SU STEP, contact Nelson at (315) 443-9171 or lenelson@syr.edu.