Davidson Elementary School’s quiz bowl team learned this week that they finished 7th among 442 schools nationwide in the recent America Answers Quiz Bowl.
The May 3 competition, for fifth and sixth graders, required the team to answer questions on an Internet-based test in wide-ranging subjects – from history to math to science. Davidson’s team is made up of 12 fourth and fifth graders: Rachel and Jake Bringewatt, Emma Boraks, Sharad Wertheimer, Logan Mariner, Carson Slayton, Adam Cosgrove, Luke Churchill, Thomas Churchill, Wilson Goode, Cat Buechler and Baily Johnson.
The 7th-place finish was the team’s best this year in several competitions. Last year, Davidson finished third in the contest, when there were just 209 entrants.
The students will receive a trophy for the school and individual ribbons for their accomplishments.
First place in the America Answers event went to a team from PEGS North-Drummond School in St. Ann, Missouri, which scored 1210 on the test. Davidson scored 1156.
TEAMWORK
The quiz bowl club at Davidson “gives kids who have the interest an opportunity to have an extracurricular outlet,” said Celia Felthaus, a Davidson Elementary teacher and team adviser.
It also teaches new skills, such as teamwork, and draws on students’ strengths and interests, she said.
“Working together as a team” is the most important skill need for the contest, she said. “It takes them two to three weeks to realize they’re a team.”
“Everyone has an important role. … Each may be better at history, math or science. They discover their strengths,” she said.
At test time, the students must use those strengths and background knowledge, but also employ “logic and common sense and good test-taking skills.”
AMERICA ANSWERS RESULTS
FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE DIVISION
1. PEGS North-Drummond School, St. Ann, Mo., 1210 points
2. Springfield Plains Elementary School, Clarkston, Mich., 1203
3. Taylor Elementary, Arlington, VA., 1198
4. Spoede School, Creve Couer, Mo., 1169
5. Brandon Valley Elementary, Brandon, S.D., 1168
6. Mount Bethel Elementary, Marietta, Ga., 1162
7. Davidson Elementary, Davidson, N.C., 1156
8. E. W. Fritsch School, Carson City, Nev., 1144
