Competition Tests Students’ Knowledge of Physics
More than 100 area students participated in The University of Scranton’s annual Hayes Family Science Competition for High School Physics and Engineering Students. The academic competition tested the high school students’ knowledge of physics and engineering through a series of quizzes and hands-on challenges. Students competed individually and in teams.
Noah Beckish from North Pocono High School came in first place in the individual competition, based on a quiz given to all participants and placement in a Jeopardy game of those with highest quiz scores. Matthew Pelleschi, from Wyoming Area High School, came in second place. Anderson Zou from West Scranton High School came in third place.
In the team competition, Berwick High School team one placed first. Members of that team were: John Ebert, Jaida Geiser, Sophia Guerriero, Gabe Hook, Jeff Lin, Brendan Torowski, and Sadie Zehner. Matt Shrader was their coach. Wallenpaupack Area High School came in second. Members of the Wallenpaupack team were: Adam Basile, Andrew Bromberger, Xin Chen, Alec Crouthamel, Lucas Macdonough, Lucas Ryan, Jack Smith and Matt Tavalsky. Ryan Neenan was their coach. Wyoming Area team one placed third. Members of the third-place finishing team were: Sean Burke, Richard Kashuba, Zachary Kostik, Hunter Lawall, Hailey Patts and Matthew Pelleschi (who came in second place in the individual competition). coach David Pizano was their coach.
For each game, prizes were also awarded. In the game titled “Chopped,” North Pocono team four won the Ingenuity Award. In the game titled “The Chase,” Scranton High won the Ingenuity Award. Forest City Regional’s team received the Ingenuity Award for the game titled “The Price is Right.” And West Scranton’s team took home the Ingenuity Award for the “American Ninja Warrior Media Event.”
The competition was organized by the University’s Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering to encourage more students to pursue careers in physics and engineering.