February 2, 2005 ( Houston, TX) McReynolds Middle School and Sam Houston High School won the 1 st Annual Project GRAD Science Bowl Competition.Forty-five middle and high school students from Project GRAD schools in HISD participated in the   half-day event.   The highly academic competition encouraged students to work together in teams of four in a competitive environment and provided an avenue for enrichment in science and math. Students answered questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, general science, mathematics and physics. A special section of questions on scientists and inventors encouraged students to consider a variety of career options in science and technology.

“The purpose of the Science Bowl is to promote and challenge students from Project GRAD middle and high schools to excel in math and science,” says Carol Harper, Director of Secondary Programs for Project GRAD Houston. “The format of the Science Bowl replicates the formats of national and regional competitions to encourage students to participate in other science competitions as well.”

Sam Houston High School Winners (L-R):   Winning Sam Houston High School students holding their team trophies Jorge Balderas, Claudia Linares, Luis Linares, and Andrew Diaz stand with Gale Stanford, Manager of Secondary Science for Project GRAD Houston. (Not pictured is the Sam Houston High School coach is Alvin Moses.)

The students competed in teams of four in a “toss up” and bonus question format. The middle school teams competed in the morning session and the high school teams competed in the afternoon session. Each Science Bowl team member received a medallion and first place winners received a certificate of award and a team trophy.

For more information about Project GRAD’s 1 st Annual Science Bowl, please contact

• Carol Harper, Director of Secondary Programs, Project GRAD Houston at
  (c) 713-705-2473 or (w) 832-325-0372;
• Gale Stanford, Manager of Secondary Science, Project GRAD Houston at
  (c) 713-253-7525 or (w) 832-325-0343;
• Melissa Carroll, Director of Public Relations, Project GRAD Houston at
  (c) 713-253-6953 or (w) 832-325-0301.

Project GRAD is a nonprofit pre-k through16 school reform model helping students, teachers, and families in twelve school districts across the country. The  mission of the program is to ensure a quality public education for all children in economically disadvantaged communities so that high school graduation rates increase and graduates are prepared to enter and be successful in college.

Project GRAD now serves 133,000 students nationally in 217 schools in Akron, Atlanta, Brownsville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Kenai Peninsula, Knoxville, Lorain, Los Angeles, Newark, and Roosevelt, New York.

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