Hard work and preparation paid off for North Allegheny Team 1, the winner of the 2025 Western Pennsylvania Science Bowl (WPASB) high school contest held Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)-South Campus in West Mifflin.

Sponsored by NETL, the fast-paced, quiz bowl-style tournament drew 32 teams from 23 schools. “Congratulations to North Allegheny Team 1 students and coaches on an impressive effort,” said Adam Lott, NETL’s Science Bowl regional coordinator.

Taking second, third and fourth place were South Fayette Township, North Allegheny Team 2 and Upper St. Clair Team 1, respectively. The winning schools received cash prizes to support their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. North Allegheny Team 1 advances to the National Science Bowl on April 24-28 in Washington, D.C.

“One of the main purposes of this event is to inspire students to excel in the classroom and spark interest in energy-related and STEM-related careers so that today’s students are prepared to serve as the next generation of scientists and engineers,” Lott said. “This competition featured a tremendous number of teams who demonstrated their expertise in STEM topics.”

It was the 34th WPASB competition sponsored by NETL. 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.

High schools that participated in the contest were Baldwin Team 1 and 2, Central Catholic Team 1 and 2, Charleroi Area, Fox Chapel Area, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Hempfield Area, Keystone Oaks Team 1 and 2, Lenape Tech, Mars Area, Moon Area, Mt. Lebanon Team 1 and 2, North Allegheny Team 1 and 2, North Hills, Norwin Team 1 and 2, Peters Township, Pine-Richland Team 1 and 2, Ringgold, Sewickley Academy, South Fayette Township, Thomas Jefferson, Upper St. Clair Team 1 and 2, and Winchester Thurston Team 1 and 2.

The 2025 WPASB for middle school students will be held Saturday, March 1, at CCAC-South.

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.