Forty-eight teams of Iowa high school students filled Howe and Hoover halls on Saturday to participate in the 18th annual Regional Science Bowl.

Starting at 8 a.m., the five-person teams battled each other in academic challenges that covered topics ranging from earth science to physics and math.

“We put out the word that we are holding this bowl, and schools sign up if they’re interested,” said Steve Karsjen, program director of Ames Laboratory.

“We are one of the largest bowls in the Department of Energy system. Very few other regionals have 48 teams in one day.”

The event is one of 66 regional Science Bowl events throughout the country.

The winners of each receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in early May for the national competition.

The national champions receive electronic equipment for their school and an all-expense-paid trip to one of a few destinations the Department of Energy offers.

They will also visit the White House and meet the president.

“In 1998, Valley High School won the nationals, and they went to Germany to meet and talk with Nobel laureates,” Karsjen said.

Approximately 90 volunteers, consisting of Ames Lab employees and ISU students, faculty and staff, were needed for moderating and scoring each of the competitions.

“I got an e-mail about this event, and it sounded like a good time,” said Brad Miller, program coordinator in agronomy.”This might have been something I would have liked to do if I was their age.”

Jake Smithand Steven Machir, seniors at Winterset High School, said their team was probably not as prepared as the others coming into the competition.

“We were told about this the day before, actually,” Smith said.

Machir laughed off the consequences of the short notice.

“The five of us didn’t have anything better to do, so we signed up. What’s sleep to us?” he said.

Next year, the team plans to study more for this bowl.

“Steve and I are graduating, but I’m pretty sure the others on our team are going to do this next year,” Smith said.

Karsjen said he was glad to see young people taking an interest in learning more about math and science.

“This is really about creating the spark of interest in young people,” he said.

“Bringing together 90 volunteers is quite an effort, and we are fortunate to have that many people who are interested in competitions of this type, both volunteers and students.”