Winning Team to Represent Los Angeles Region in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl® Competition in Washington, D.C. Photo by: Noah L. Addis.
LOS ANGELES (February 21, 2026) – Demonstrating an exceptional command of advanced knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics, North Hollywood Senior High School Team A claimed first place at the 34th Annual Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Regional Science Bowl academic competition on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
This academic competition is an official, regional qualifying tournament of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl®, which include 42 teams (four students and one alternate per team) representing 24 local high schools from within the Los Angeles Unified School District and LADWP’s service areas. This event celebrated academic excellence, motivated achievement, and showcased the talent of our city’s young scholars.
The winning team moves on to represent the Los Angeles region at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl® in Washington, D.C. on April 30 to May 4, 2026, where they will compete with approximately 65 high school regional champions from across the country. A total of eight teams from California will participate. Since 1993, the launch of Science Bowl in Los Angeles, LADWP regional championship teams have won national titles and have a record of placing among the top teams – five national champions and 17 top five national trophies.
Regional Science Bowl Winners
1st Place: North Hollywood Senior High School Team A members are awarded a $1,250 scholarship. Additionally, the team earned a $3,000 award for their school’s Science Department, along with the Melinda Rho Championship Trophy – named in honor of the late LADWP employee and dedicated Science Bowl volunteer. For more than 25 years, Melinda Rho played a pivotal role in nearly every aspect of the competition. This trophy commemorates her lasting impact and unwavering commitment to supporting students in science education.
2nd Place: North Hollywood Senior High School Team B. Student Scholarships: $1,000/each; School Science Department award: $2,500.
3rd Place: The Science Academy STEM Magnet Team A. Student Scholarships: $750/each; School Science Department award: $2,000.
4th Place: The Science Academy STEM Magnet Team B. Student Scholarships: $500/each; School Science Department award: $1,500.
Teams that did not advance into the Final Rounds had an opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving and time management skills during the Hands-On Competition. This year’s challenge, “Mulholland’s Regatta Race,” tasked teams with designing and building a sailboat and fan system. Using only the fan to propel their boat, teams raced their creations down an eight-foot-long gutter that simulated an aqueduct.
Along with LADWP and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Science Bowl was also sponsored by the Water and Power Community Credit Union and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The event was also made possible through the efforts of more than 100 volunteers, mainly LADWP employees, their families and past Science Bowl participants.
Each year, LADWP Science Bowl tests the region’s sharpest students on their teamwork skills and science knowledge in a fun atmosphere using a game show format answering questions ranging from biology, chemistry, to earth science, physics, energy, and math with timed responses in preparation for nationals. The National Science Bowl is among the nation’s largest science-based academic competitions – since its inception in 1991, more than 350,000 students have participated in the program.
LADWP, the nation’s largest municipal water and power utility, is one of the few utilities in the nation that serves as a coordinating Regional Science Bowl sponsor and host. Science Bowl is a long-standing tradition at LADWP, alongside several other educational programs that continue to promote awareness of important water and power programs and services. For more information, visit LADWP.com/Education.
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