Teachers pleased with performance of area science teams

Members of the South Aiken High I Science Bowl squad are from left Ashley Stout, Shay McSwigan, Kim Keskiivari, Taylor Maier and Isaac Nesbitt. Staff photo by Rob Novit.

Between two South Aiken High Science Bowl teams and one from North Augusta High, just one player had previous experience, yet the teams made a good showing in a regional meet at USC Aiken on Saturday.

Following a series of round-robin matches in the morning, the South Aiken I squad reached the afternoon double-elimination matches, as did North Augusta.

The South Aiken II team tied in points with another team for a spot in the afternoon event, only to lose in a tiebreaker.

One of the Lakeside High School teams from Evans, Ga., won the event, which was coordinated by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. Lakeside will move to the Department of Energy's National Science Bowl Competition to be held in Washington, D.C.

South Aiken science teachers Beth Beckham and Kaycee Poppy were delighted with their teams' performances.

"We have a rookie team this year, as we had a big senior team last year," Beckham said. "But they're doing well and are really competing nicely."

The South Aiken I team is composed of Taylor Maier, Kim Keskiivari, Ashley Stout, Isaac Nesbitt and Shay McSwigan. The other South Aiken squad members are Tracy Ramsing, Rachel Beeson, Christopher Stuart, Rachel Kranjc and Joel Bassett. The members of the North Augusta squad are Porter McLane, Royce Cook, Katy Dyches, Shelby Ewart and Joy Price.

"We've only been practicing a little bit," said Maier. "But we're paying attention in science class. It's all about Mrs. Beckham. We would be nowhere without her and Mrs. Poppy."

Brian Looney, a Savannah River Site scientist, served as a volunteer moderator for some of the matches. One of the first-round divisions is also named after him, as in "Looney Division."

"I wish they would change that name," he said with a smile. "But it's a blessing to work with the kids. We get people here from all over the state and parts of Georgia. It lets our local school populations really be challenged and exposed to a larger group of folks."

The intensity of the competition is amazing, said Candice Demody, SRNS' education outreach manager.

The competition "really tests the students' science and mathematics skills under pressure. The students are committed to giving it all for their school and their teammates," she said.

DOE continues to invest in area schools through academic competition opportunities, Dave Moody, the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office manager, said in a press release.

"For years, the Science Bowl has been an excellent way to focus attention on the importance of science and to spotlight the capabilities of our brightest students," he said.

Senior writer Rob Novit, a journalist for the past 41 years, joined the Aiken Standard in 2001. He covers education news and general assignments.