Pocatello science bowl team to compete in Washington, D.C.

For the first time, a middle school team from Pocatello will be competing in the DOE National Science Bowl Tournament. Five students from Franklin Middle School will travel to Washington, D.C., Thursday after a clean sweep in the eastern Idaho regional competition.

Wells Crosby, the team’s captain, joined the team to explore his interests in science outside of the classroom. When he competes, it reminds him of a popular game.

“It’s like that phone game Trivia Crack,” Crosby said.

The team’s coach, Joseph Martin, first formed the team to give students like Crosby that chance to explore their interests. Also because there aren’t many things like it in the area.

Martin said this kind of enrichment is needed for kids.

“Some students don’t get enough in school and they need more so they can go on and become a better, well-rounded person,” he said. “(So that they) can work together as a team and they can practice different leadership roles.”

This exploration could lead into possible career interests, too. Faith Brockett, the team’s life science expert, said she’s interested in becoming a doctor in the future.

The team members had their last practice Monday afternoon in Martin’s classroom. While they got a number of answers right, they also had a few fumbles.

Despite mess-ups, Science Bowl will continue to open doors for them.

“It’s that opportunity to go out and learn so much stuff, to pursue their interests in their focus and be rewarded for that. That’s what Science Bowl is,” Martin said.

Franklin Middle School’s team won last year’s eastern Idaho regional competition as well, but since the team only had two members at the time, it couldn’t advance to the national competition.

The competition is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.