Iowa Regional High School Science Bowl to be held Saturday

Students from a HS Science Bowl team during the eventAmes National Laboratory and Iowa State University will host the 36th annual Iowa Regional High School Science Bowl on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2025. The event will take place on the Iowa State campus.

"Ames National Lab is excited to again host incredible students from all across the state of Iowa to Science Bowl,” said Mary Ronayne, Iowa Regional Science Bowl coordinator and education and outreach program specialist at Ames Lab. “And, we are extremely  grateful to all of our donors and volunteers who make this event possible."

Ames Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory located on the Iowa State campus. Hosting the Science Bowl helps to inspire students to pursue further education and careers in STEM fields, and nurture developing talent in fields that align with the DOE and Ames Lab missions.

Throughout the event, Iowa’s top science and math students will compete to answer questions that test their knowledge of biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and mathematics. The Ames Lab and Iowa State communities will provide much of the volunteer support for the day-long competition.

"Iowa Regional Science Bowl events offer the youth of the state of Iowa the opportunity to showcase their knowledge in the STEM fields, while experiencing a sense of community with other STEM-focused students on the Iowa State University campus," said Kelly Bergman, an education and outreach program specialist at Ames Lab. “Thank you to our sponsors for making the event possible.”

In 1991 the Department of Energy created the National Science Bowl (NSB)® to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and pursue STEM careers. It is one of the nation’s largest science competitions. The winners will advance to the NSB® finals April 30 – May 4, 2026, in Washington, DC.

The schools scheduled to participate in this year’s regional High School Science Bowl are:

Ames High School

Ankeny Centennial High School

Aplington-Parkersburg High School

BCLUW High School

Bettendorf High School

Cedar Falls High School

Chariton High School

Clear Creek Amana High School

Colo-Nesco Middle/High School

Dowling Catholic High School

Earlham Senior High School

Johnston Senior High School

Keokuk High School

Liberty High School

Maharishi School

Murray Junior/Senior High

Nevada High School

Newton Senior High School

North-Linn Senior High School

Northview Middle School

Pleasant Valley High School

Rivermont Collegiate

St Albert Catholic

Valley High School

Waukee High School

West Senior High School

Wilton Junior/Senior High School

Winterset Senior High School


Ames National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Laboratory operated by Iowa State University. Ames Laboratory creates innovative materials, technologies, and energy solutions. We use our expertise, unique capabilities, and interdisciplinary collaborations to solve global problems.

Ames National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit https://energy.gov/science.

DOE’s Office of Science manages the NSB and sponsors the NSB finals competition. More information about these events is available on the National Science Bowl® website.