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This story was corrected on March 12, 2009

Montpelier Elementary sixth-grader Joshua Carter stared intently at Dave Zahren, or "Dr. Z" as he is known, as he asked the body part needed to delay the implementation of embryos after fertilization.

Carter, captain of the Laurel school's Science Bowl team, buzzed in, leaned forward to the microphone and offered his answer.

"Uterus," he said softly.

With that answer, Montpelier took the lead back from four-time Science Bowl champion University Park Elementary 165-160 and held on to win its first Science Bowl 235-185.

Montpelier and University Park entered the final day of the Science Bowl Tuesday along with Oakcrest Elementary in Landover and College Park's Hollywood Elementary.

The Science Bowl, in its 23rd year, is a countywide academic competition where students compete to answer scientific questions in categories like "green things," "zoo parade" and "dateline science."

Students answered questions such as "What element is symbolized by Kr?" and "What famous scientist cut holes in his mother's curtains to see light go through a prism?"

Each question is worth anywhere between five and 25 points. Carter said he and his teammates Ashley Woodall and Onyinye Okudoh were focused on winning.

"We were thinking, ‘Are there still enough points for us to win?'" he said. "'Are there still enough for them to win?' How can we win this?'"

Montpelier Principal Carla Furlow said she was "beyond proud" of her students.

"When I figured out how many points were left, I really got excited," she said. "We've really been working hard on this."

Furlow said the team practiced once or twice a week after school.

University Park, the most successful school in the history of the competition, had the lead through much of the final.

"They were just a fun bunch of kids to work with," said Jeff Favero, University Park's sponsor and sixth-grade science teacher. "I'm real pleased with their efforts. It was fun. Anything that promotes academic competition, I support."

University Park team member Mahalia Lotz said she was a little nervous going into the competition, but very focused.

"When it really got started, I was just concentrating on the questions," she said. "I wasn't thinking very much."

Mahalia said she and her teammates Sophia Wonneberger and Sam Jackson worked well together.

University Park advanced to the final after beating Oakcrest in the semi-final round 225-175.

Montpelier advanced to the final after beating Hollywood 240-160.

Despite the loss, Katie Roach from Hollywood said it was a worthwhile experience.

"I think we did really well and I'm happy we got this far," she said. "It's really fun and a really good experience to meet other schools and represent your school."

Katie said she and her teammates, Surya Radhakrishnan and Zaakira Ahmed, were very proud of their run.

"It just makes us feel very proud of ourselves," she said. "Our school was really proud of us and they were giving us high fives before we left."

The semi-finals television broadcast will air between May 18-24, and the finals will air from May 25-June 7. All games will air on Comcast Cable Channel 96 and Verizon Channel 38.

E-mail Jonah Schuman at jschuman@gazette.net.