ScienceBuzz is a buzzer-based science club that aims to prepare and motivate elementary school children for current and future science competitions, including the Science Bee, Science Bowl, and Science Olympiad. We believe that exposing students to advanced science topics early on will help them in their middle and high school journeys. This club also provides an opportunity to explore the vast area of science and discover where their interests lie.
Praneel Avula is a rising junior at James Clemens High School who is interested in space and everything related to it such as physics, chemistry, biology, and math. His hobbies include tennis, the violin, chess, and video games. He is part of the Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, and Scholars Bowl team at James Clemens.
His major achievements over the years include: recipient of the Mayor Award for scholastic excellence at Liberty Middle School, Captain of the 2023 Alabama State Science Bowl champion team, multiple gold medals at the State and competed at the 2023 National Science Olympiad, 2023 Science Bee quarterfinalist, and multiple awards at local math tournaments.
Harshtha Chander is a rising sophomore at James Clemens High School. She is interested in the field of STEM, particularly biology and math, and hopes to pursue a job in this field someday. Her hobbies include dancing, reading, and listening to music.
Her achievements include: two-time national medalist at National Science Olympiad, Captain of 2023 semi finalist team and player on 2024 finalist team at Alabama Science Bowl, 2023 National Science Bee quarterfinalist, 2nd place in Epidemiology at the 2025 HOSA State Leadership Conference, and Top 20% at the 2025 USABO Open Exam.
Heidi Leonard is a rising sophomore at James Clemens High School. She loves science and math, especially biology, and intends to pursue a career in medicine. She will be the freshman class secretary at James Clemens. Her other interests are reading, cooking, snow skiing and travel.
Her major achievements include: two-time medalist at the 2024 National Science Olympiad and multiple state gold medal wins at the State Science Olympiad tournament, captain of the 2024 Alabama Science Bowl state finalist team, 2023 Alabama Science Bee Champion and National Quarterfinalist , and multiple awards at local math competitons.
Joel Yang is a rising sophomore at James Clemens High School. He participates in various STEM and science-related clubs including Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, TSA, and has won numerous state and national awards in these activities. His favorite hobbies include speedcubing, playing Minecreaft, and watching anime.
His major achievements over the years include: multiple state gold medal wins in Science Olympiad and participation in the 2023 and 2024 National Science Olympiad Tournaments, playing on the 2024 Alabama Science Bowl finalist team, and multiple awards at local math competitions.
Mrs Ashley Horne is the teacher sponsor of the James Clemens ScienceBuzz Club. She also sponsors Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, and Interact Club.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Science Education from North Carolina State University and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has experience in teaching Chemistry, Physical Science, Biology, Earth and Space Science, Introduction to Biotechnology, and Environmental Science.