School briefs: Mahtomedi students take Science Bowl crown

A Mahtomedi Middle School team will compete in the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., in April after capturing the regional title at the University of St. Thomas last month. The team was one of 24 to vie for the crown — and one of three from Mahtomedi Middle School.

Members include Ben Nelson, Andrew Krier, Aine Keel, Aiden Flick and Nathan Haugen. Barbara Nelson, a parent, coached the team, which survived 10 rounds similar to the television show Jeopardy.

The team defeated Minnetonka Middle School West for the title. Students were quizzed in biology, chemistry, math, energy, physics and earth and space science.

The Department of Energy National Science Bowl is to be held April 25-29.

The Mahtomedi school system has established itself as a major player in academic team events through STEM programming that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math. Several middle school teams were active this year in the FIRST Lego League robot-building competition.

The Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its Educator of the Year and Educational Support Person of the Year awards.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 19.

Nomination forms are available on the chamber's website.

The award winners will be announced at a spring banquet and annual meeting on April 12.

Students at Cottage Grove Middle School hopped on bicycles to raise more than $9,279 for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare and the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

The annual fundraiser, dubbed "Tour de Grove," now is in its eighth year and has collected more than $70,000, according to a South Washington County School District news release.

Josh Eidem, a social studies teacher who coordinated the event, said the Tour de Grove "helps strengthen bonds between our families, our school and our community. It helps our students see what is possible when we think and dream big."

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare helps provide "innovative treatments and care" to children with disabilities, according to the CurePity campaign.

Mathnasium of Stillwater, a math tutoring service, opened recently near Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights.

"Our location is ideal," Sachin Gore, the center's director, said in a Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce news release. "Many of our customers can walk across the street [from the high school], finish their math homework and discover a new way of approaching math."

The center touts customized learning plans.

Tutors assist children with homework and help them hone their study skills, the news release said.