Teamwork, Preparation and Committment Lead to Academic Excellence

Dr. Nicholas Tzimopoulos
Lexington Students Win Fourth Consecutive National Science Championship under Guidance of Dr. Nicholas Tzimopoulos

On April 4, 2001, high school students from Lexington High School in Massachusetts won their fourth consecutive National Ocean Sciences Bowl award. Traveling to Miami after sweeping regional and state meets, these fledgling scientists bested teams from across the U.S. to earn more than just a title and trophy. The team and coach will fly to England, Sweden, and Paris for a 10-day European field trip, taking in the Southampton Oceanography Centre and setting sail on the Baltic Sea.

With thumbs on buzzers, Lexington contestants put years of academic training on the line, Jeopardy-style, as they defended their title. Rapid-fire questions ranged over a number of disciplines, from biology, chemistry and physics, to the history and economics of the ocean. Students successfully fielded questions like "The normal equilibrium concentration of a given dissolved gas is primarily a function of what?" and "What are two characteristics of most slowly spreading oceanic ridges?"

But the real story here is not simply that these students have won a number of awards, but that all the members of their team have been strong contestants. When they reclaimed the state title at the Massachusetts Science Olympiad, they defeated the second-place team by nearly 60 points, the best margin in the history of that competition. All fifteen members of the team won at least one medal.

How did they do it? Teamwork, many months--even, years--of preparation, and a commitment by the Lexington Schools System to academic excellence, according to Dr. Nicholas Tzimopoulos, the Science Coordinator for the system. In Lexington, academic excellence is recognized and rewarded, just as sports teams receive honors. And for that reason, Dr. Tzimopoulos wrote to President George W. Bush to urge him to set a national example by recognizing academic achievements and excellence among young learners. It is the hope of this well-known scientist that greater emphasis on academics at the national level will reinforce the recognition given in noted school systems such as in Lexington. For our future standard of living, and indeed, the competency of our very own leaders, will be determined by our scientific and technological advancements.

Below is the text of the letter sent to President Bush by Dr. Tzimopoulos:

11 May 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

I would feel irresponsible if I failed to write you regarding a missed opportunity by the Administration. Last night I watched the national news with interest as you honored the Boston College Hockey Team for winning the National Championship. This is the third time, I believe, that you have honored sports teams in the White House this year. I am not quite sure what a sports team has contributed to the high standards of living worldwide and the medical miracles that we enjoy are a direct result of scientific advancements. I also know that the Nation's national security, economic strength, and quality of life depend on the mathematics, science, and technology literacy of all its citizens, and that our country's science and engineering future is dependent on today's students, who will make up the future technical work force, and who will be the science, mathematics, engineering, technology, and business leaders of our country.

Aristotle said, "All who have mediated on the art of governing Mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of their youth." Centuries later, Sir Francis Bacon remarked, "The products of science shape and pervade our lives". . .the sciences "have changed the whole face and state of the things throughout the world . . .no empire, no sect, no star seems to have exerted greater power and influence in human affairs."

Admiral James D. Watkins, former Secretary of Energy under President George H. W. Bush, recognized that our country's future depends on a scientific literate citizenry, and the need to promote, encourage and support efforts to advance knowledge and learning in the sciences. As a result, he founded the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) in 1998.

The fourth National Championship of the NOSB was held on 2-3 April 2001 in Miami, Florida. The NOSB is administered by CORE, a consortium of 63 U.S. research institutions, universities, and laboratories. There are 19 regional competitions around the country, involving thousands of students. The regional winners competed for the National Championship in early April. The Lexington Science Team emerged as the National Champions for the fourth consecutive year. It is from this type of student that the future of our country depends, not the sports teams. Mr. President, I believe these are the champions who should be honored and celebrated nationwide. You would show that our priorities are in academics rather than sports if you honored academic champions from the Nation's high schools, colleges, universities. As you know, Sir, "actions speak louder than words."

Sincerely,

Nicholas D. Tzimopoulos, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Science

Dr. Nicholas D. Tzimopoulos holds a doctorate in physical chemistry and currently teaches and coordinates the science program in Lexington, Massachusetts schools. He is one of the authors of a critically acclaimed chemistry textbook in use throughout the country in secondary-school and collegiate programs from New England to Hawaii.