The Straughn High School physics team needs $1,000 more dollars to head to the annual physics contest.

“Our physics team, comprised of juniors and seniors, will be participating in an annual physics contest at a major university,” said sponsor Stephanie Bryan. “My students will volunteer their time during and outside of the school day to prepare for this event.”

Bryan said 14 students including Joel Bass, Caleb Evers, Ashley Hughes, Hannah Lawless, Hank Peeples, Abby Philpott, Erin Philpott, Mitch Schultz, Rachel Simmon, Payton Thomas, Abigail Thomas, Caleb Thompson, Caleb Whitehurst and Sara Wilson , are participating.

The event will be held Fri., Jan. 27, 2017, at the Ferguson Center at the University of Alabama.

The event is open to all high schools and usually attracts schools from surrounding states to compete as well.

“All of the students participating are honors students who maintain high academic standards, most of which are in the top 10 of their respective classes,” she said. “In addition, the majority of these students participate in multiple extracurricular activities. They are dedicated to representing our school in an exemplary manner in their athletic activities as well as the intellectual endeavors.”

Bryan said students who attend the competition will get to tour the university and attend an astronomy viewing.

“They will participate in an open forum with a panel to discuss majority in physics as well as careers in the field,” she said. “They will compete with other physics students from the southeast in a head-to-head team event. In addition, they will have the opportunity, as individuals, to win scholarships by taking an individual test.”

Bryan said this is the school’s fourth year participating in the event.

“Last year, our teams placed first, second, fifth and seventh in the 4A to 7A (large) public school division and won second place overall,” she said. “This year, we will compete in the 1A to 3A (small) public school division.”

Funds raised will go to cover lodging expenses, mileage, a team T-shirt for each member and two meals.

To donate, visit https://www.donorschoose.org/project/physics-champions-in-the-making/2395526/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=IFTPC&utm_campaign=facebook&rf=facebook-siteshare-2017-01-iftpc-teacher_4189952&challengeid=20894388