Siemens Sponsors Georgia Science Bowl Hosted by Armstrong

Jan. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- Siemens Industry, Inc. is sponsoring the 2012 Georgia Science Bowl, an event coordinated by Armstrong Atlantic State University physics professor Donna Mullenax and hosted on the Armstrong campus.

The Bowl’s first phase for high school students, the subregional competition, will be held at Armstrong on January 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“Thanks to Siemens, the best scientific minds in Georgia’s schools are coming to Armstrong to compete in a competitive academic atmosphere,” Mullenax said. “Their support has made a huge difference to this competition.”

“From grade school to grad school, Siemens is supporting the next generation of scientists, engineers and business leaders through our educational initiatives,” said John Petrillo, Siemens Industry Senior Account Executive. “We're committed to the future and to those who will create it.”

Mullenax brought the Georgia Science Bowl to Armstrong in 2004. The Jeopardy-like contest for middle and high school students covers the areas of science, energy and mathematics. Students must fight back nerves and beat the clock while competing, with only seconds to answer each question.

On game day, volunteers form the backbone of the Bowl, as Armstrong alumni, faculty, students and parents serve as score- and timekeepers, judges and even umpires. “It’s contagious. Once you volunteer, you don’t want to leave,” Mullenax said.

With help from Siemens Industry, Mullenax will also be able to host the first Georgia middle school Bowl at Woodstock High School. It’s a step Mullenax hopes will make Georgia even more competitive in the academic arena. “When you get to the national level, we’re competing with students who’ve been doing this since 6th grade,” Mullenax said. “The earlier you start, the more you practice, the better you’re going to get.”

Even without the early start, Georgia still performs well at the national level, having won the National Science Bowl in 1994, and typically finishing in the top 16 teams.  But before getting to the finals, teams in Georgia will first compete in subregional rounds held at Armstrong, Valdosta State, the University of Georgia, Piedmont College and Kennesaw State.

After subregional competitions are held, the top 12 teams will travel to Savannah on February 25, to test their breadth of scientific and mathematic knowledge on the Armstrong campus during the final round of the Georgia Science Bowl. The state competition serves as a qualifying contest for the National Science Bowl held in Washington, D.C.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.armstrong.edu.

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Armstrong Atlantic State University, part of the University System of Georgia, was founded in 1935. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate academic programs in the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Technology, the College of Education, and the College of Health Professions. Armstrong Atlantic serves approximately 7,500 students at its main campus in Savannah and a regional center in Hinesville. Its diverse student population comes from nearly all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 76 countries. For more information visit http://www.armstrong.edu.