Science Bowl
Revision as of 03:33, 31 May 2026 by Justin Rosentover (talk | contribs)
The National Science Bowl is a quizbowl-like competition using only science questions. It could be called the bastard child of quizbowl and government-bureaucratized science. It is run and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Unique features of Science Bowl
- There are three types of questions: multiple choice, which have to be answered by repeating the correct choice exactly word-for-word or by saying the corresponding letter (w, x, y, or z), short answer, and "ordering" questions that ask players to order three items based on a certain property.
- Tossups and bonuses are interchangeable, but are worth 4 and 10 points respectively. It’s unclear why 4 points is used instead of 5, it may be because science bowl players lack the usual number of digits on their hands and feet. Since none have ever been spotted in the wild, it is impossible to know.
- Officially, five staff are required to run one game room: a reader, a scorekeeper, a timekeeper, a scientific judge, and a rules judge. Sometimes rooms will have two scientific judges, or two or three rules judges. At many regional and invitational meets, however, fewer staff are used.
- The strict adherence to rules of any kind. A example is "10 to the −1" not being accepted for ".1" or "1/10" in a short answer question.
- When answering incorrectly in the middle of a tossup, 4 points are awarded to the other team, rather than losing 4 points for your team.
- "Blurting," or saying the answer before being recognized, results in 4 points for the other team, and they get a chance to answer the question.
- The national tournament also features a number of non-quizbowl competitions, like an electric car race and design competition.
Academic Competition Results
High School
Middle School
| Year | Champion | Second | Third | Fourth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Greater Boston Math & Science | JDroids Science Club | Takoma Park | Science Infinity |
| 2013 | Creekside (Carmel, IN) | Takoma Park (Montgomery Co., MD) | Hopkins (Fremont, CA) | Treasure Valley |
| 2012 | Hopkins (Fremont, CA) | Longfellow | Seattle Science Infinity Club (not a school) | Treasure Valley |
| 2011 | Gale Ranch (San Ramon Co., CA) | Shahala (Clark Co., WA) | Hopkins (Fremont, CA) | Van Antwerp |
| 2010 | ||||
| 2009 | ||||
| 2002 | Samford (Auburn, AL) |