Frequently Asked Questions

The Science Bowl is a regional academic competition among Minnesota schools in a rapid-fire, question-and-answer format. Categories include astronomy, biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, earth and general science and current events in the scientific and technical community. Winners of the regional competition go on to compete at the national level.  

Minnesota State Regional Science Bowl for High School Students - Friday January 25, 2013

Minnesota Station Regional Science Bowl for Middle School Students - Saturday Feb 16 or Feb 23, 2013

Any current public, private, or home school is welcome to participate. Teams not associated with a school such as community groups, girl scouts, boy scouts and science clubs are welcome to participate; however, if the school a student attends is competing in the tournament, then that student may compete only on a team from that school. No more than 3 teams from one school or student group may compete in a regional event. The high school science bowl is for current ninth through twelfth grade students. The middle school science bowl is for current sixth through eighth grade students.   

The cost is $150 per team. The registration fee includes a commemorative t-shirt for each team-member and coach and a food at the event. The fee for team registration must be received before registration is complete. There is a $50 late registration fee per team if the registration is not complete by the registration deadline.  

Effective for the 2012 Science Bowls, there will be a maximum of 32 teams in the MN State Regional Science Bowl for High School Students and 24 teams in the Middle School Bowl. The goal of the MN Academy of Science is to maximize the number of schools/organizations participating. To reach this goal, the first 32 (or 24 for middle school) schools/organizations with a completed registration, including payment, by the deadline will have one team from their school/organization accepted into the tournament. If there is space available after one team from each school/organization has been accepted, a second team from the school/organization will be accepted based on the date the registration was completed, including payment. If there is space available after a second team from each school/organization has been accepted, a third team from the school/organization will be accepted based on the date the registration was completed, including payment. If space is not available for a school's alternate team(s), that team(s) fee will be refunded. Coaches will be notified shortly after the deadline as to the number of teams accepted from their school/organization. 

Teams are registered on a first-come, first-served basis so the date received is very important. If a school wishes to have more than one team participate, they should submit registration materials and payment for up to three teams, as early as possible, but no later than the registration deadline. It should be noted that last year, many High School and Middle School teams had their registrations completed, including payment, on November 20th, well before the deadline. Therefore, it is extremely important to get started on the application process as early as possible and not wait until the deadline to submit team registration. 

What's the likelihood you could bring more than one team from your school? In 2012, for the first time ever in the High School Science Bowl there was only room for each high school/organization to bring 2 teams.  In the Middle School Science Bowl there was enough space for four schools to bring three teams each.  It is all dependent on how many schools submit registrations for how many teams and each year varies.

Both the winning high school and middle school teams will compete in the National Science Bowl® on April, 2013 in Washington, DC.. Expenses for the students and coach are paid - including travel, accommodations and organized activities. The National Science Bowl® is sponsored by the Department of Energy.