Frequently Asked Questions
DO YOU HAVE ANY SAMPLE MATCHES?
DATES
OCTOBER 1ST — REGISTRATION OPENS AT NOON
Coaches may preregister their schools without having to identify the students who will be on their team(s). Approved schools (those with an employee coach or principal approval) will be guaranteed a spot for TEAM ONE at their Regional.
PREREGISTRATION PERIOD
Coaches Finalize Teams, Collect Team Info & Upload Consent Forms. Coaches will have until 12/2/24 to enter and collect student data, upload consent forms, and add co-coaches without fear of losing their TEAM ONE spot.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT FULL REGISTRATION INCLUDING ALL FORMS & STUDENT INFO
A coach cannot submit a team registration until all required student forms have been approved and/or uploaded by the coach. Failure to submit by 11:59 pm on December 2nd may result in the team losing their spot.
FIRST TEAMS WILL BE APPROVED
Regional Coordinators will begin approving TEAM ONE submission on December 3rd.
WHEN CAN I REGISTER A SECOND & THIRD TEAM?
If second & third teams are permitted at a given regional, coaches may upload their additional teams and student information during the preregistration period.
However, the second and third teams will NOT be approved until after December 17, 2024 and will NOT be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Again-no need to rush!
On December 17, 2024 or later, if space permits, second team may be approved. If all second teams cannot be approved, Regional Coordinator will use a DOE-approved random selection process.
Beginning 3 weeks prior to the regional event or later, if space permits, third teams may be approved using the DOE-approved random selection process.
Schools with preregistered first team will take precedence over 2nd & 3rd teams.
WHAT DATE IS THE HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITIONS
Saturday, February 22, 2025
WHAT DATE IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITIONS
Saturday, March 1, 2025
ONLINE REGISTRATION AND TEAM INFORMATION
I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH REGISTRATION WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?
Mario Rybacki at Mario.Rybacki@netl.doe.gov, Science Bowl Coordinator
WESTERN PA SCIENCE BOWL COVERS WHAT COUNTIES?
Schools musts be from Western Pennsylvania. Western PA is defined as the following counties; Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Green, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland.
WHAT MAKES UP A TEAM?
Each competing team consists of 4 or 5 student members and at least 1 adult coach. (Only 4 will be playing at any time.) No school may compete in more than one regional competition. No student may compete on more than one team. Coaches and Co-coaches must be approved by the schools their teams represent and must be at least 18 years old.
HOW AND WHEN WILL YOU NOTIFY ME IF MY TEAM WAS ACCEPTED?
We will notify you via email that your team was accepted.
I REGISTERED A TEAM AND WE CANNOT COME. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
It is important to let us know as soon as possible if you are not coming to Science Bowl. Most years we have a waiting list of 1st and 2nd teams who want to participate. Failure to let us know can get you banned for next year.
COST & PAY INFORMATION
WHAT IS THE COST?
Team registration is free.
LOCATION & TIME
WHAT IS THE START TIME, END TIME?
Start Time: Team registration is between 7:00 to 7:45 AM. Opening ceremonies will start at 8:00 AM. The end time will depend on how many teams are involved. This is a full day event and can go until 5:00 PM.
WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF SCIENCE BOWL?
Community College of Allegheny County – South Campus
1750 Clairton Road
Building B
West Mifflin, PA 15122
PAPERWORK
DO I NEED TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK AND SUBMIT IT?
Yes, you will need to submit the paperwork online by December 1st. Failure to submit paperwork will make your team ineligible to compete. If you have questions or having problems, please contact Mario Rybacki at Mario.Rybacki@netl.doe.gov.
CANCELLATIONS INFORMATION
WILL YOU CANCEL SCIENCE BOWL BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER?
Science Bowl will go on rain, snow or shine. If for any reason we must cancel Science Bowl, we will notify the coach and ask them to get the information to the students and parents.