Students participating in special education, community, and continuation school programs used their knowledge about biotechnology, as well as quick thinking skills, while competing at the 6th Annual Sacramento County Academic Bowl.
The theme for the competition was "A World Transformed: Biotechnology." The event was held on December 18 at Rosemont High School in the Sacramento City Unified School District.
Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School, operated by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) won top honors and earned the perpetual trophy. Daylor High School (Elk Grove USD) and SCOE's North Area Community School finished second and third, respectively. Also participating were two other SCOE schools: Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School and Gerber Jr./Sr. High School.
Palmiter student Kiara Steininger was recognized as the winner of this year's Academic Bowl Art Competition. Her award-winning drawing appeared on the Academic Bowl T-shirt and the cover of the printed program.
Sacramento County Academic Bowl is an annual competition for community, continuation and special education school teams involving a game show-style event where students answer questions based on a theme and also present a "live" PowerPoint presentation. Students made their presentations before a panel of judges: Jackie Levy, Board of Education President; Thomaysa Glover, Trustee; Greg Geeting, Trustee; Chris Gilbert, Director, Support Services; Rachel Perry, Director, Research and Evaluation; and Consuelo Villalobos, Executive Assistant.
Team and individual awards were presented at a luncheon where County Superintendent Dave Gordon, Assistant Superintendent Matt Perry, and Board of Education Trustees Jacquelyn Levy and Greg Geeting handed out awards and congratulated participants.
Students spent eight weeks in class and after school preparing for this demanding competition. In addition to mastering the academic content, which is based on California's Content Standards, students also learn about teamwork, computer and presentation skills, goal setting, and leadership.