WASHINGTON-They scribbled out formulas, diagrams and then solutions to problems that would boggle most of our minds.

And they did it in half an hour.

“We were trying to determine the number to the power of ten to various questions such as how many electrons are in a milligram of salt, and how many coke cans you would need to cover the entire surface of the moon,” said Siyang Qin, a Senior at Grand Forks Red River High School in North Dakota.

Five students from Red River High School took on teams from across the nation at Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl. The competition tested their knowledge in biology, physics, math and a host of other subjects.

More than 350 high school students competed here on the national level. To get there, they had to win regional competitions. More than 10,000 high school students across the country competed at the regional level. It could be called the Superbowl of science, said Red River High School’s coach, Robert Owens.

“Its an event that is sought after by a lot of other schools in our state,” said Robert Owens, Red River High School’s coach. “There’s 24 schools that compete for the opportunity in our state, and we’ve been fortunate again to win that opportunity.”

This is Coach Robert Owens’ 8th time to bring a team. He says the students he’s coached have gone on to attend some of the nation’s top schools like MIT, Stanford and Harvard. Qin, a member of this year’s team, is headed to Cornell next year.

“These are the new scientists and the new minds that will be coming out in the next 10-15 years,” Owens said. “These will be the kids who will be talked about.”

Many of the competitors felt a sense of pride to have made it so far in competition.

“Me and my teammates are very proud to represent the virgin islands and we are very proud to be here at nationals,” said Claudine Licdao, a senior at St. Croix High School Educational Complex in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Her teammate, junior Steven Browne, said it takes more than talent to make it to the top.

“We practice together, and after practice after school we go over our topics, what we’ve done on our individual topics,” Browne said. “So it takes a lot of dedication to be on a team.”

Coach Joanne Lewis said she’s constantly amazed by the dedication of the students who compete in science bowl competitions.

“The tenacity of those kids is unbelievable,” Lewis said. “And because of those kids and their love for math and science is why we’re here.”

When the competitors weren’t duking it out in contests, they were busy taking in the sites and sounds of Washington, and making new friends from across the country.

“I’ve met people from the west side fo the united states, the east side, north, all over the place and they’re very nice people and they’re really crazy smart, as you said,” Licdao said.