49 teams of high schoolers and middle schoolers from 30 different schools in 8 counties will test their knowledge against each other in this weekend’s Redding Regional Science Bowl at Simpson University. Sponsored by Redding Electric Utility and the U.S. Energy Department, the competition poses very difficult questions covering a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, astronomy, and math. The winning high school team and the winning middle school team will both get all-expense paid trips to Washington D.C. to compete on the national level. This is the first year of middle school involvement. The opening ceremony is at 8 O’clock Saturday morning, and the competition really heats up with the championship rounds in the early afternoon. The public is welcome to attend.