How do students multiply 1 by 24 and get 225,000?

It’s not that they’re bad at math — far from it. Rather, those students are participating in the Energy Department’s National Science Bowl.  Now in its 24th year, the event is designed to encourage the development of our nation’s future leaders in science and technology. More than 225,000 students have participated in the annual event since it was created in 1991.

From January through the end of March, about 9,000 high school students on some 1,850 teams are expected to compete in 69 high school regional competitions, which will be held in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Another 5,000 middle school students on about 1,100 teams are also expected to participate in 48 regional competitions in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Regional winners will head to theNational Finals in Washington, D.C., scheduled for April 24-28, 2014.

During the competitions, teams of four students face off against one another in a fast-paced question and answer format. They’ll be challenged to solve mathematical problems and tested on their knowledge of a wide range of disciplines, including astronomy, biology, earth science and physics.

The questions are not easy. Here’s a quick sampling from Round 1 of a practice set that goes all the way up to Round 17:

1. As a percentage by volume in Earth’s atmosphere, what are the two most abundant gases in Earth’s atmosphere?
2. What is the most common term in physics for the product of mass times velocity?
3. What planet has the greatest variation in temperature over a single one of its planetary days?

Answers: 1) Nitrogen and Oxygen, 2) Momentum, 3) Mercury

Improving students’ knowledge is one reason that the Energy Department sponsors this, one of the nation’s largest science competitions. But the larger goal of the National Science Bowl is to inspire the nation’s future leaders in science and technology; to get them interested, to see them rewarded, and to start them on the way to building a better and brighter future. It starts with students with dedication, teams with ambition, coaches and parents with pride. And it adds up fast. Each regional contest sparks new talent; each competition gives future scientists the confidence they can shine. Best of all, the knowledge and skills students learn will continue to grow well after the competitions have concluded.

So stay tuned for updates on the 2014 National Science Bowl. It’s a singular event that adds … and multiplies.