Nevada Science Bowl
The Department of Energy Office of Science sponsors a range of science education initiatives, including the National Science Bowl.
A highly competitive science education and academic event, Science Bowl sees teams of high school school students compete in a fast-paced verbal forum to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Science Bowl competitions encourage student involvement in STEM activities, improve awareness of career options in science and technology, and provide an avenue of enrichment and reward for academic science achievement.
The NNSA Nevada Field Office began the annual Nevada Science Bowl high school competition in 1991 with 19 teams competing. Today, more than 30 teams representing high schools in Nevada and Utah compete annually.
Competing teams from diverse backgrounds are comprised of four students, one alternate, and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach. The competition consists of a round robin followed by a double elimination final. Students are quizzed in a fast-paced question-and-answer format similar to the television show Jeopardy.
Questions are submitted by scientists from all of DOE’s facilities as well as from other federal agencies and universities.
To be eligible to compete in the Nevada Science Bowl high school competition, a student must be enrolled for the current school year in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 at the team’s school, and be less than 20 years of age, or receive a special waiver from the DOE.
No school or student group may compete in more than one regional competition, and students may compete on one team only. The Nevada Science Bowl coordinator determines if more than one team from a high school will be allowed to participate in the Nevada Science Bowl as well as the geographic area this regional competition will encompass. No more than two teams from one high school or student group may compete in a regional event.
Regional elimination tournaments are conducted throughout the country from January to March at DOE sponsoring sites. More than 13,000 high school students and 5,000 middle school students from 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands compete in the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C.
For more information on the Nevada Science Bowl, contact Brianna Majdanac at 702-490-8342 or MajdanBR@nv.doe.gov.
Volunteer Training
If you are interested in volunteering, training is available online for the roles of Moderator, Question Judge, Rules Judge, Timekeeper, Scorekeeper, and Score Runner. Training sessions will be provided for volunteers.
Thank you to the sponsors of the 32nd Annual Nevada Science Bowl!
Signature Sponsor: National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office
Platinum Sponsor: Mission Support and Test Services, LLC and Environmental Management Nevada Environmental Program Services