The 15th annual Hawai'i Science Bowl will feature more than 100 of the top math and science students from 22 public and private high schools at 8 a.m. Saturday at Honolulu Community College.

The students will vie for an opportunity to represent their school and the state at the National Science Bowl, to be held May 1 to 6 in Washington, D.C.

The second-place team will win a trip to study significant scientific contributions in the state.

Opening remarks Saturday will be given by Kristina Kekuewa, deputy director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Services Center and a Kaiser High School graduate.

Competing schools are represented by four students, an alternate and an adviser, who is usually a science or math teacher.

The event is intended to encourage student involvement in math and science, improve awareness of careers in science and technology, and enrich achievement.

The top 12 teams will receive cash awards ranging from $50 to $500 for their school's math/science programs.

The bowl is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, and co-sponsored by Aloha Airlines, Bank of Hawaii, Hawaii Alpha Delta Kappa, Hawaii Electric Light Co., Hawaiian Electric Co., Honolulu Community College, Maui Electric Co., Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training, The Gas Co., Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, the state Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Energy.