With the 2024 Science Bowl season upon us, University High School is gearing up for another year of intellectual challenges, camaraderie, and a little bit of fun. Leading the charge is Dr. Micheal Fromerth, a long-time science educator and dedicated coach of the school’s Science Bowl team since 2007. In a recent interview, Dr. Fromerth shared insights into how he became involved in the competition and his hopes for the team’s performance this year.
Dr. Fromerth’s journey with Science Bowl began in his first year of teaching at UHS. “My vice principal at the time, Mr. Leftoff, approached me and asked if I’d be interested in putting together a team for the Science Bowl,” he said. After rallying a group of five students, they competed at UConn. The day was full of excitement and learning, and from that point on, Dr. Fromerth continued leading the team every year, maintaining a tradition that still runs strong.
While the team has yet to clinch the top prize, Dr. Fromerth proudly recalls moments of success. “We’ve made it to the championship rounds before, with our best performance taking us to the fourth round,” he notes. Though victory in the main competition has eluded them, the team has thrived in other aspects, including the wild card bracket and the now-retired solar-powered car building competition. “We won that part of the competition four or five times, and we came in second several times,” Dr. Fromerth said.
Despite these successes, challenges have arisen, particularly due to a scheduling conflict between Science Bowl and the school’s robotics season. “There’s a lot of overlap in the students who participate in both,” Dr. Fromerth explains. “It’s tough when our top competitors have commitments to robotics on the same day as the Science Bowl.”
But it’s not just about the competition. For Dr. Fromerth, Science Bowl offers an opportunity to connect with students outside the classroom in a more relaxed setting. “It’s a lot of fun. We always make it a tradition to visit the UConn Dairy Bar after the competition for some ice cream,” he shares, smiling as he talks about his personal favorite flavor—banana with dark chocolate chips.
Looking forward to this year’s competition, Dr. Fromerth is optimistic. “We have some very strong competitors this year, and they’re incredibly enthusiastic. I see us doing really well, possibly making it into the championship rounds. It’s just a matter of who we match up against,” he said.
As the team prepares for this year’s challenges, Dr. Fromerth remains hopeful for their success while keeping the experience light-hearted and rewarding. One thing is certain: win or lose, there will always be room for ice cream.
