Hamilton Middle School eighth grade student William Choi-Kim placed first in the Houston Regional Finals of the National Science Bee, held May 14 at Harmony School of Advancement, and qualified in the academic competition for the 2022 Middle School National Championships.

June 3, 2022—Hamilton Middle School eighth grade students William Choi-Kim and Rex Esch each earned top-three finishes at their respective Houston Regional Final of the National Science Bee and National History Bee, qualifying or the 2022 Middle School National Championships on June 17-20 in Orlando, Fla.

The regional competition was conducted on May 14 at Harmony School of Advancement and hosted by the International Academic Competitions as part of the National History Bee and Bowl.

Choi-Kim placed first in the eighth grade division in the science competition, qualifying for the National Science Bee. He posted the top score in Round 1 (11).

Esch placed third in the eighth grade division in the history competition, qualifying for the National History Bee. He posted the top score in Round 1 (10).

Hamilton Middle School eighth grade student Rex Esch placed third in the Houston Regional Finals of the National History Bee and qualified for the 2022 Middle School National Championships, to be held June 17-20 in Orlando, Fla.

Students use buzzers in the competitions to answer questions covering various topics within the content area. Questions are written in a pyramidal form in which the more difficult information is earlier in the question so competitors with deeper knowledge are more likely to gain more points.

During preliminary rounds, up to 10 students competed together to not only correctly answer questions but gain bonus points based on how quickly they reach the answers.

Choi-Kim and Esch were both part of Hamilton’s Quiz Bowl Team, which culminated its 2020 and 2021 seasons with berths in the National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT)’s Middle School National Championship Tournament.