[January 28, 2024, St. Paul, MN] Wayzata High School Team 1 won the Minnesota statewide High School Science Bowl on January 25, competing against 27 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 represent Minnesota in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.

Wayzata’s winning team consists of Richard Lin, Aaratrika Mondal, Kevin Qiu, Warren Wang and Luyao Yang, and is coached by Wayzata High School teacher Amanda Laden. This year’s win is Wayzata’s eighth straight statewide High School Science Bowl title. Wayzata swept the top three spots in the competition, with Wayzata Team 3 coming in second place and Wayzata Team 2 coming in third place. Columbia Heights High School Team 2 won the Civility Award. See full competition results at mnmas.org.  

“At the annual gathering of science-savvy students, I was struck by the camaraderie of the competitors. There's a culture of respectful and warm interactions among these blossoming scientists,” said Wayzata coach Amanda Laden. “Having three teams in the finals was unexpected, and exciting. These students spent months both helping each other improve and practicing against each other. All three teams felt a sense of pride at the end of the day in themselves, their teammates, and Wayzata High School.”

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, Verizon Foundation, Hardenbergh Foundation, and H.B. Fuller.

The high schools that participated in the 2025 Science Bowl are: Academy of Holy Angels, The Blake School, Breck School, Burnsville High School, Chanhassen Senior High, Chaska High School, Columbia Heights Senior High, Edina High School, Harding High School, The International School of Minnesota LLC, Maple Grove Senior High, Minnetonka Senior High, Mounds View Senior High, Rosemount High School,, and Wayzata High School.