Minnesota Academy of Science

• 970 Raymond Ave., Suite 103 • St. Paul, MN 55114 • (651) 917-3994 • mnmas.org •

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Paul, MN – 100 middle school students from across Minnesota will show off their science and math skills on Saturday, February 8 during the Minnesota Academy of Science’s Middle School Science Bowl.

Students compete head-to-head in five-person teams to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. The tournament runs in a fast-paced, Q&A format where students race to ring in with their answers first. Each team plays multiple games in a round robin tournament, competing to advance to a double-elimination championship.

As a regional competition of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the winning team will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the DOE’s National Science Bowl. Last year, Minnesota’s regional champions at the high school level from Wayzata High School won the National Science Bowl. Wayzata is sending six teams from three schools to the middle school competition this year.

Science Bowl competitions offer students who excel in math and science a chance to go beyond classroom learning and strengthen their teamwork skills. “I'm able to learn stuff I wouldn't learn in class,” said Wayzata High School winner Geoffrey Chen. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competitions like Science Bowl also provide recognition and encouragement to the next generation of STEM students, opening the door to STEM majors and careers.

Founded in 1873, the Minnesota Academy of Science is a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering interest in STEM by sponsoring STEM-education programs and events for students in elementary school through college. The Academy sponsors Science Bowl with the help of more than 70 volunteers from local companies such as Seagate Technology, Ecolab, and 3M and with generous support from Ecolab, Macalester College, General Mills, Hardenbergh Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the United States Department of Energy.

WHO: 100 students from 11 Minnesota middle schools: Barton Open Elementary, Central Middle School, Field Elementary, Lake Middle School, Minnetonka West Middle, Parnassus Preparatory School-Logic, Plymouth Middle, Sandburg Middle School, Scott Highlands Middle, Wayzata Central Middle, Wayzata East Middle, Wayzata West Middle.

WHAT: Minnesota Regional Middle School Science Bowl

WHERE: University of St. Thomas, Brady Education Center, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN

WHEN: February 8, 2020 (10:00 AM Round Robin; 2:30 PM Double Elimination; 6:00 PM Championship Round; 6:30 Awards)

For more information:

Lara Maupin, MAS Interim Executive Director, lmaupin@mnmas.org

Emily Shepard, MAS Communications Coordinator, emilyshepard@mnmas.org

MN Academy of Science – mnmas.org

U.S. Dept. of Energy National Science Bowl – https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/About