Woodruff Passes Science Bowl Baton to Gerdes
By Greg Leatherman

Dr. Woodruff receives an award on behalf of the NETL Science Bowl Team.

Having grown up in a rural area, young Steve Woodruff fell in love with science while playing with his chemistry set and studying objects through his microscope.

“We didn't have mentors or Science Bowl competitions when I was a student,” Dr. Woodruff notes.

After attending graduate school at the University of Michigan and working at the Ames Lab at Iowa State, Dr. Woodruff decided to move his family to Morgantown, WV, where he became involved in mentoring young science students.

Now, after a decade and a half as a Regional Science Bowl Coordinator, Dr. Woodruff, who began as a mentor in the program, is passing the baton to Kirk Gerdes. Gerdes began training for the coordinator position in August 2011.

“What I really wanted to see in my replacement was someone who had the personality and ability, not only to work with kids and coordinate activities, but really to lead people. Kirk has those qualifications in abundance,” said Dr. Woodruff.

Dr. Woodruff has been the Regional Science Bowl Coordinator since the mid-1990s. He says he was influenced by Dr. Norm Howton, who was the original coordinator over 21 years ago, when NETL (then METC) first participated in the DOE Science Bowl Competitions.

He recalls, “I wanted to work with young kids, not only to teach, but to mentor them. Dr. Howton was the first one to say that we needed to give these kids BIG trophies, so when they returned to their schools, their trophy would stand tall and shine bright next to all the football and basketball trophies. It's a way of encouraging bright young minds to pursue their dreams. Think about this: the majority of the students participating in Science Bowl will go on to work in a field of science. One can hardly say the same for athletics . . .”

One recent advancement that Dr. Woodruff cites is the increased involvement by higher education, like West Virginia University, in recruiting promising students for the competition. As far as lasting memories, Dr. Woodruff has many, but he says he will never forget the poignant reaction that participants and organizers expressed on January 28, 1986, when, during the regional Science Bowl competition, America lost the Space Shuttle Challenger. He also recalls being in Washington, D.C. for the Science Bowl nationals the weekend that the Federal Government dedicated the National World War II Memorial, when the traditional “day on the mall” became an emotional experience for many.

One thing is for sure: Dr. Woodruff leaves behind an exemplary record. One could even say he deserves a trophy.

Faster, Better, Cheaper . . . An NETL Researcher Generates Some Buzz
By Greg Leatherman

The new buzzers are part of a solution to increase performance and reduce costs.

If it's true that the early buzzer wins the round, Joseph Ranalli, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher with the NETL research fellowship program in Morgantown, W. Va., recently contributed to the victories of future West Virginia Regional Science Bowl participants. Dr. Ranalli successfully tested an elegant and affordable solution to improve the buzzer system used during the DOE's annual competition.

Beginning about three months ago, Dr. Ranalli began engineering a software upgrade for the incumbent buzzer system, in response to requests from competitors that the buzzer response times be improved. During this work, Joe realized that some improvements could be realized by integrating a commercial-off-the-shelf hardware solution: buzzers from the popular Buzz! game family. The specialized controller Dr. Ranalli tested uses four handsets. These were successfully integrated into the system software, and while the system is still being perfected, Dr. Ranalli fully expects they will be ready for competition at the February 4, 2012 West Virginia Regional Science Bowl.

Dr. Ranalli's solution has not only improved system performance, but has resulted in a substantial cost savings. The previously used stand-alone system costs in the neighborhood of $300 per Science Bowl room. The new sets cost $10 each (at two per room), a savings of over 90%. Thus far, NETL has purchased 29 controllers, which is nine more than needed for the competition. Because the timer software will be made available (by NETL) for free download on the internet, it is anticipated that competing teams will be able to more easily afford their own sets to prepare for the competition. In addition, NETL plans to donate some sets to schools in need.