[January 23, 2024, St. Paul, MN]  Wayzata High School’s Team 1 won the Minnesota Statewide High School Science Bowl on January 20, competing against 28 other teams from 15 high schools. The event was held at Hamline University and was organized by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS). In April, Wayzata’s team will compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., representing Minnesota. 

Wayzata’s winning team consists of Ishaan Goyal, Richard Lin, Weili Lu, Nitish Shirodkar, and Kevin Qiu, and is coached by Wayzata High School teacher Amanda Laden. The 2024 win marks Wayzata’s seventh straight Statewide High School Science Bowl title. Minnetonka High School’s Team 1 came in second place and Wayzata’s Team 3 came in third place. Columbia Heights High School won the Civility Award. See full competition results at mnmas.org.  

“It was fun seeing the enthusiasm and energy of the competitors as they answered challenging science questions,” said Wayzata coach Amanda Laden. “The sheer quantity of knowledge and processing speed was impressive.  In addition to academic skills, the students were practicing skills of how to be competitive while also being supportive and encouraging to both their own team members, and those on other teams.”

Science Bowl enables students to increase their science and math knowledge while also strengthening their teamwork skills. The tournament runs in a fast-paced, Q&A format where teams of students race to buzz in with their answers to science and math questions, and then work collaboratively to solve follow-up problems. Each team plays multiple games in a round robin tournament, competing to advance to a double-elimination tournament that culminates in the championship. 

Founded in 1873, the MAS is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for Minnesotans of all backgrounds to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning, inquiry, research, and networking. MAS sponsors STEM education programs and events for students in elementary school through college. 

MAS coordinates the annual, statewide Science Bowl with the help of more than 80 volunteers and with generous support from sponsoring organizations including the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement / Americorps Volunteer Generation Fund, Minnesota Department of Education, Ecolab, St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Hardenbergh Foundation, and H.B. Fuller.

The high schools that participated in the 2024 Science Bowl are: Academy of Holy Angels, The Blake School, Breck School, Burnsville High School, Chaska High School, Columbia Heights Senior High School, Edina High School, Harding High School, Maple Grove Senior High, Minnetonka Senior High, Mounds View Senior High, Rosemount High School, Sartell Senior High, Wayzata High School, and Woodbury High School.