Talcott Mountain Academy
On Saturday, February 27th, a team of four students from Talcott Mountain Academy (TMA) finished first place in the Regional Middle School Science Bowl Competition. Hosted by the University of Connecticut, approximately 200 middle school students from 36 teams representing nearly two dozen schools and clubs throughout the state of Connecticut competed in the competition. As top finishers in the event, the students will be continuing on the National Middle School Competition, which will be held in Washington, DC, from April 28 - May 2.
The Connecticut Middle School Science Bowl is a quiz bowl competition of two teams of four students on each team. They must answer challenging math and science questions -- including earth & space, chemistry, energy, and physics -- in a fast paced timed setting. The 2016 Talcott Mountain Academy team included students Julia Hoffman, Aresh Pourkavoos, Yusuf Zaidi and Connor Farquhar.
“Our students are very inquisitive, love science and enjoy learning new things. They spent many hours after school practicing to achieve these results and we are very proud of their accomplishment,” says Lydia Gibb, Dean, Talcott Mountain Academy. “The team was coached by TMA parents Sheeba Zaidi, Kevin Doyle and Carolyn Hoffman -- who inspired and encouraged the students to stretch their abilities.”
Launched in 1991, the National Science Bowl® (NSB) is a highly competitive science education and academic event that encourages student involvement in math and science activities of importance to the Department of Energy and the Nation. Each team is composed of four students, one alternate student, and a coach.
Regional science bowl championship teams receive an all-expenses paid trip to compete at the national event. The national events include several days of science activities, sightseeing and competitions. Teams enjoy the entire science bowl experience and take home many prizes. There are cutting-edge science seminars and hands-on science activities.
Talcott Mountain Academy is an independent school for intellectually excited students K-8. Founded in 1983 as a division of the Talcott Mountain Science Center, the Academy is a unique on-site learning laboratory that nurtures children’s innate abilities from an early age. A fully integrated curriculum provides a robust and meaningful education that fosters both the intellectual and creative abilities of gifted and talented children.