A team of students from Minnetonka West Middle School has earned its way to the federally sponsored National Science Bowl this spring near Washington, D.C.

Minnetonka West's Team 1 defeated Eden Prairie Central Middle School Team 1 on Saturday to claim the regional title at the University of St. Thomas' School of Engineering in St. Paul.

On the winning team were Alexander Schneider, Rory Cole, Julian Calder and Nathan Schneider. They were coached by science teacher Frederick Stock.

There were 22 teams from 14 schools competing for the regional crown in a format similar to the TV quiz show "Jeopardy." Questions dealt with biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, energy, math and physics.

Third place went to Friedell Middle School Team 1, from Rochester.

Next up for the champions is the national competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and held from April 28 to May 2 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482