Iowa Regional High School Science Bowl

A Competition Like No Other
The Iowa Regional High 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 student's 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 High School Science Bowl is one of 115 regional competitions held throughout the nation.

The winning team receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the DOE’s National Science Bowl in Washington D.C. April 24 - 28, 2025.

Form your team

Teams are comprised of up to five students--four members and an alternate--and a teacher or TAG coordinator who serves as advisor and coach. Students must be enrolled for the current school year in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 at the team's school and must be less than 20 years of age.

Four of the team's five players compete at any one time--regardless of which player has been designated as the alternate. During the intermission or between matches, the coach can substitute a player.

How to enter

Registration opens Monday October 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

Science Bowl questions cover a variety of topics: biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, Earth and space sciences and energy. Preparation pays off. Top teams frequently spend months practicing for the event. Click here for Sample Questions.

How to play the game

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 ISU scientists and staff serve as judges, moderators, timekeepers and scorekeepers.

The cost

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

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 on April 24 - 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C.