Heartland AEA 11

6500 Corporate Dr.

Johnston, IA 50131-1603

www.aea11.k12.ia.us

2/26/03

Contacts:

Arletta Dawson, Heartland AEA 11, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4324

Steve Jones, Heartland AEA, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4317

JOHNSTON, Iowa–Twenty-four teams of junior high and middle school students have qualified for the final round of the Junior High Knowledge Bowl 2003, sponsored by Heartland Area Education Agency. The finals are at St. Mary of Nazareth Parish Center, 4605 NW 47th Ct., in Des Moines, Thursday, March 6.

The 24 finalists qualified from 118 teams from 47 Iowa high schools that began the competition in a preliminary computer round Feb. 12. Using a special computer program, teams answered questions of general knowledge, with points awarded for accuracy and speed. Face-to face competition at the finals March 6 will include a written round of questions followed by oral rounds. The three teams with the highest finals scores will advance to the championship round that day.

The Waukee Middle School team C is first heading into the finals with 1,135 points. Ames MS team A is second with 1,132 points followed by Indianola MS team A in third with 1,093 points.

Heartland AEA is one of Iowa's 15 area education agencies. Heartland provides services and programs to 55 school districts and 36 approved non-public schools in 11 central Iowa counties.

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The following 24 teams have qualified to compete in the finals round at the St. Mary of Nazareth Parish Center in Des Moines on Thursday, March 6. The teams are ranked according to their place coming out of the preliminary computer round.