If you know where the tectorial membrane is or how many femtometers are in a nanometer, you just might be ready for this year's National Science Bowl.
Talented high school students from across Indiana, many of them future scientists and engineers, will tackle such questions during regional competition beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 4) in Indiana State University's Root Hall, Room AO-11.
Science Bowl teams consist of four students, an alternate and a teacher/coach. Competing teams are quizzed on biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth science, general science and mathematics. Teams practice for several months in advance of the competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Regional championship teams will head to Washington, D.C., April 27 through May 1 to tour museums, and participate in Science Day seminars and the national academic science competition. Terre Haute North Vigo High School won last year's regional Science Bowl while Terre Haute South Vigo placed third.
Indiana State will also host the regional middle school Science Bowl competition on April 8.
By the way, the tectorial membrane is part of the inner ear and femtometers and nanometers are small - really small. There are 1 million femtometers in a nanometer and a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.
Contact: Dr. Henjin Chi, professor, math and computer science, Indiana State University, (812) 237-2056 or mathchi@isugw.indstate.edu
Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Indiana State University, (812) 237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu