Liberty students excel at Regional Science Bee
At the Regional Science Bee, students from Liberty Middle School who qualified for the National Science Bee in Arlington, Va. include Arya Bellamkonda, from left, Chandana Suru, Praneel Avula and Nikhita Katragadda. CONTRIBUTED
Liberty Middle School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
8:03 pm Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Liberty students excel at Regional Science Bee

MADISON – Students at Liberty Middle School achieved dramatic results at the Regional Science Bee, and they qualified for further competitions in locations ranging from the D.C. area to Quito, Ecuador.

Hoover High School hosted the regional bee on April 8.

“I was very pleased with my students’ performance in these competitions because most questions in this tournament were material on an upper high-school and college level (like Science Olympiad and Science Bowl), meaning these students have a knowledge base well above their grade level,” Dr. Lori Shrode said.

Sponsor for Liberty Science Bee, Shrode teaches Medical Detectives and Life Science classes.

The National Science Bee competition begins with a qualifying test. “I proctored an online test for all students who wanted (in) this program. The qualifying exam ensures that students competing in regional/state/international competitions . . . have a strong science background. Students who met the test’s predetermined qualifying score advanced to a regional bee,” Shrode said.

“The regional bee is an in-person quiz competition (think “Jeopardy!”) against students of their same age group. The regional bee has four rounds where students compete to earn points by answering questions in an individual quiz competition,” Shrode said. “Students with the highest scores in the first three rounds advance to the final round where the points are erased, and they compete to determine the champion.”

Liberty students fared brilliantly:

* Sixth-grade winners — Prahaas Avula, first place; Jason Chacko, second; and Ananya Shankar, third.

Based on their performance, all three students qualified for the National Science Bee in Arlington, Va. in June. Prahaas and Jason qualified for the International Environmental Science Bee in Quito, Ecuador in July.

* Seventh-grade winners — Heidi Leonard, first place; and Harshtha Chander, third place. Heidi and Harshtha both qualified for the National Science Bee. Heidi also qualified for the International Environmental Science Bee.

* Eighth-grade — Praneel Avula, second place. Compared to other grade levels, this level involved a large group.

Praneel Avula, Nikhita Katragadda, Chandana Suru and Arya Bellamkonda qualified for the national bee in Arlington. Praneels Avula, Nikhitta Patragadda and Chandana Suru qualified for the International Environmental Science Bee in Quito, Ecuador in July.

“From students who qualified for the national bee in June, Prahaas, Ananya, Heidi, Harshtha, Nikhita, Praneel and Chandana will attend the national event in Arlington,” Shrode said. From students who qualified, Praneel, Prahaas, Chandana and Nikhita want to attend, but Shrode and the students currently are trying to find sponsors to help fund the trip to the competition.

“The regional site caps the total number of qualifying students allowed to compete in the region in order to make the first three rounds more equitable,” Shrode said. The following statistics demonstrate Liberty’s skills:

* Sixth grade – Four students total. All from Liberty.

* Seventh grade — Seven students total. Three from Liberty.

* Eighth grade — 15 students total. Seven from Liberty.

“Competition for the eighth-grade group was very competitive. We had met most of these students from other schools at the State Science Bowl and Science Olympiad tournaments,” Shrode, a National Board Certified Teacher, said.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *