First Lady Michelle Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu lead a practice session for young people competing in the National Science Bowl at the Energy Department on Thursday. (TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty)

First Lady Michelle Obama made her thirteenth visit to a D.C.-based federal agency or department on Thursday, meeting with high school science students at the Energy Department.

The first lady served as the moderator of a practice competition in an auditorium, joking that, "I’m like Alex Trebek. Secretary [Steven] Chu is like my Vanna White.”

Chu thanked Obama for her visit to the department, saying her visit would be helpful in “elevating the social status of nerds everywhere," according to a pool report of the event.

Obama also praised staff members for their decades of devotion to the department and said the nation will have to improve its education in order to continue its mission.

“We can’t transform our energy future unless we transform our education system,” Obama said. “Particularly when it comes to math and science.”

The high school students will participate in the National Science Bowl, a 19-year-old science and math competition run by the Energy Department. Regional winners are flown to Washington for the national competition, which takes place in April.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  November 5, 2009; 7:00 PM ET
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