Area Schools Claim Science Bowl Honors

San Fernando Valley schools took three of the top four honors at the Department of Water and Power’s Science Bowl competition Saturday in Los Angeles.

Although reigning champion Venice High School retained first place in this year’s competition, Van Nuys, Francis Polytechnic and North Hollywood high schools took second to fourth place, respectively, against 26 Los Angeles-area schools.

Walter Zeisl, supervisor of educational services for the DWP, said the competition was fierce between Van Nuys, which took top honors regionally and nationally in 1995, and Venice, which did the same last year.

In the end, he said, no matter who wins the desired result is the same: science begins to look more attractive to students.

“When you are able to put learning into a competitive, but fun format, you have the same dynamics as a football game or a basketball game,” Zeisl said. “Kids are interested, and start to think science might be cool.”

Venice will now go on to the national competition in Washington in May.

Zeisl said the competition is held to highlight accomplishments of high schools citywide and to encourage minorities and girls to pursue careers in math, science and technology fields.

Organizers called Saturday’s event at DWP headquarters a “Festival of Technology,” with high-tech exhibits and Jeopardy-like competitions throughout the day, beginning with elimination rounds in the morning.

The students, in teams of five, answered questions related to biology, physics, earth science, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy and new technology.

In the afternoon, those eliminated from competition took on the task of putting together an electric car model, while the remaining teams went on with the bowl game. King Drew High School in Los Angeles won the electric car competition, with Grant High School in Van Nuys finishing third.