2025 Iowa Regional Science Bowl Dates: Feb. 8 (Middle School) and Feb. 22 (High School)
Registration begins for the 2025 Iowa Regional Science Bowl on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at noon Eastern Time (11 a.m. Central Time).
A Competition Like No Other
The Iowa Regional School Science Bowl is an opportunity for students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math while experiencing a sense of community with other STEM-focused students. Students compete in a question-and-answer format that tests their knowledge in a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, physics, energy, and math. Iowa's Regional competition is hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory and Iowa State University. The Iowa Regional Science Bowl is one of 115 regional competitions held throughout the nation.
The basics:
- High School level open to students in grades 9-12, and under 20 years of age.
- Middle School level open to student in grades 6-8.
- Academic competition is one-day.
- Regional science bowls are held on the beautiful Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa.
- Lunch is provided the day of the competition.
- No registration fee.
- Free Friday night lodging is available for the 10 most distant teams (determined at the close of registration).
- Space is limited, so register early! Schools whose applications are received after the roster is filled will be placed on a waiting list.
- Winning team receives an all-expenses paid trip to the DOE’s National Science Bowl in Washington D.C., April 24-28 for high school, and April 25-29 for middle school.
The academic competition
Each 16-minute match has two 8-minute halves and a two-minute intermission. Questions are read aloud by a moderator. Any player can buzz in to answer a “toss-up” question. Points are awarded for a correct answer, and the team then has an opportunity to answer a bonus question. At the end of the match, the team with the most points wins that match. Both pool-play and double-elimination formats are used. Top teams frequently spend months practicing for the event.
Registration and Participation
How to Participate
- Form your team
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Teams are comprised of up to five students, including four members and an alternate. Students must be enrolled for the current school year. The coach may be a teacher, administrator, or “Talented and Gifted” coordinator.
Four of the team’s five players compete at any one time, regardless of which player has been designated as the alternate. Substitutions may occur during the 2-minute halftime or between matches.
- How to enter
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Registration opens Monday, Oct. 7 at noon Eastern Time (11 a.m. Central Time). Teams from throughout the state are encouraged to apply. Proceed to the coaches page for full registration information. Schools whose applications are received after the roster is filled will be placed on a waiting list.
- What to study
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Science Bowl questions cover a variety of topics: biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, Earth and space science, energy, and math. Preparation pays off. Top teams frequently spend months practicing for the event. See some Middle School Sample Questions or High School Sample Questions.
- How to play the game
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The morning session is a round-robin tournament, with the top 16 teams advancing to the double-elimination brackets in the afternoon.
Each 16-minute match has a two-minute intermission. Questions are read aloud by a moderator. Any player can buzz in to answer a "toss up" question. Points are awarded for a correct answer, and the team can then answer a bonus question. At the end of the match, the team with the most points wins. Ames Lab and Iowa State scientists and staff serve as judges, moderators, timekeepers, and scorekeepers.
- The cost
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There is no registration fee. All teams will be provided lunch on competition day. Ten distant schools will receive two complimentary hotel rooms Friday night prior to the event. Schools will be notified if selected.
- The awards
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Trophies are awarded to the top three teams, with each player receiving an individual award. The winning team will be invited to represent Iowa at the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C., April 24-28 for high school, and April 25-29 for middle school.