Eighth-graders in the district’s Transformation Zone showed off their skills last week at the Science Showdown at Bay Point Middle School.

Two teams of scholars from Azalea, Bay Point, John Hopkins, Meadowlawn, and Tyrone schools competed in several activities that included quiz questions, building ballon rockets, and setting off volcanoes.

The Science Showdown is part of a series of events designed to help schools in the Transformation Zone (TZ) to prepare for upcoming FAST testing, said TZ Chief Lakisha Lawson.

“It allows them to bring back to the forefront of their minds all of the concepts and skills that they have been taught in class and then applying them through interactive and engaging activities,” she said.

“To make a fun way for us to have science and hands on experiments so they can get what the learned in class and apply it,” she said.

Scholars like John Gywn, an eighth grader at Azalea Middle School, said they enjoyed the showdown.

I am learning a lot…like the food web,” he said. “That was fun.”

The Azalea Scholars team won first place and it’s Black Knights team won second place.

JHop’s East’s Scientists came in third.

A raffle and an awards ceremony were held at the end of the competition.