The Isabella Environmental Science Team is preparing to compete in the 18th annual 2011 EnviroBowl competition next week.

A team of seven students and sponsor Jay LeCroy will be leaving for Tuscaloosa headed to the University of Alabama where the bowl is being held Tuesday, Jan. 18.

“We’re the only school out of Chilton County that is participating,” said LeCroy, who is competing with a new team this year except for one student. “This competition gives them a chance to compete with students around the state from different science classes, and in the past, we’ve done well.”

In 2009, the Isabella team ranked in the top 16 in the state.

“We have to go over material and learn information that is on this website that has questions on it,” said Kayle Cotke, a member of the Environmental Science Team. “And we have to learn everything if we want to win.”

The questions will be taken from books, websites and other sources and will cover a variety of environmental related subjects including forestry, wildlife, chemistry, waste management, ecology, geology and pollution.

Each game will be played in two rounds. The first round directs two questions worth 10 points apiece to pairs of teammates.

The second round consists of 20 toss-up questions, worth 10 points each followed by 10-point bonus questions. All of this will take place within a 20-minute time limit.

“If we win the regional competition, then we will go on to compete in the state competition,” said LeCroy.

The winners of the state competition will receive awards and a trophy for their school. The competitors will also be given a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.