Long Beach Middle School science research students delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s Science Bowl, hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory. The five person team of eighth graders, Katya Karnegie, Jamie Mendoza, Lucas Onufrock, Matthew Ragona and Andrew Schneider, earned first place in the STEM portion of the competition, showcasing the strength of the Long Beach science research program and the depth of its students’ scientific knowledge and analytical skills.

The Science Bowl is a prestigious, team-based academic competition organized by Brookhaven National Laboratory, one of the nation’s leading U.S. Department of Energy research institutions. The event challenges students with rapid-fire questions across a wide range of STEM disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, mathematics, and energy science.

Competing head-to-head with buzzers, teams have just 15 seconds to respond to each question in front of professional scientists. Calculators are not permitted, despite the inclusion of complex mathematical problems, placing a premium on critical thinking, speed, accuracy, and teamwork.

Participation in events such as the Science Bowl provides students with early exposure to advanced scientific concepts and the professional research environment. These experiences foster collaboration, problem-solving under pressure, and strong scientific literacy skills that prepare students for future academic and career success in STEM fields.

Date Added: 2/5/2026