Morgantown Team 1 earned the title of champion at the 2025 West Virginia Science Bowl (WVSB), which was held Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Morgantown campus of West Virginia University, and will compete in the National Science Bowl on April 24-28 in Washington, D.C.

Coming in at second, third and fourth place were George Washington High School Team 1, Oak Hill High School Team 1 and Wheeling Park High School Team 1, respectively.

“The win by Morgantown Team 1 was an impressive effort by a group of students who came prepared to compete against a talented field representing schools from across the state,” said Adam Lott, NETL’s Science Bowl regional coordinator.

“Best wishes to Morgantown Team 1 and your coaches as you begin your preparations for the national competition and congratulations to our other winners,” Lott said. Members of the team are Sanketh Guppi, Joyce Hu, Daniel Han, Canden Yao, Larry Du and coaches Joseph Melia and Elvira Stanescu.

The 34th NETL-sponsored WVSB drew 24 teams from 19 high schools. The four top schools received cash prizes to support their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.

The theme for this year’s contest was “YOU can be the next,” which builds on the words of Sir Isaac Newton, the English mathematician and physicist, who said: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” With this quote, Newton emphasized how each generation builds upon the work of those that preceded it, adding new layers of understanding and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

“It has become quite apparent that the students who compete in the WVSB are committed to improving their knowledge levels in all areas of STEM and developing the skills they need to serve as the next generation of scientists and engineers who will make amazing discoveries in energy-related fields and other disciplines,” Lott said.

Schools that competed in the 2025 WVSB high school contest were Bluefield High School, Bridgeport High School, Central Catholic High School, Clay County High School Team 1 and 2, George Washington High School, Liberty High School, Morgantown High School Team 1 and 2, Nicholas County High School, Oak Glen High School Team 1 and 2, Oak Hill High School, Parkersburg High School, Princeton Senior High School, Ravenswood High School, Ripley High School, The Linsly School, University High School Team 1 and 2, Wheeling Park High School, Williamstown High School and Woodrow Wilson High School Team 1 and 2.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation to deliver solutions for a secure energy future. Through its expertise and research facilities, NETL is advancing technologies to unleash America’s affordable, reliable, and secure domestic energy and natural resources.