High School Math and Science Students ‘STEP’ Up at RIT, Jan. 31

The third annual Science and Technology Entry Program’s Science Bowl will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31 in the Rochester Institute of Technology Student Alumni Union. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The STEP Science Bowl is a regional event for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl. More than 25 teams of high school students go head-to-head in a Jeopardy-style tournament featuring questions in all areas of science and math. The winning team receives an all-expense paid trip to represent the region at the National Science Bowl finals in Washington, D.C., April 30 through May 5.

This event is designed to feature and support students from minorities who have traditionally been underrepresented in science. The STEP Regional Science Bowl is open to teams consisting of four to five high school students.

Michelle Allevato, RIT’s STEP program director, says they expect 300-350 students, parents and coaches to attend this year. Teams participating include RIT, SUNY Buffalo, Monroe Community College and others partnered with area colleges and universities. For more information on STEP, visit www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/step/step.htm.

The STEP Science Bowl is one of the outreach programs supported by RIT’s K-12 office, which provides comprehensive services to students who are members of underrepresented groups in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines.

This year’s regional competition is sponsored by RIT, MCC, STEP and the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information on the Science Bowl, visit www.scied.science.doe.gov/nsb.