FAQ Section
Online Competition Structure
How is 2023 Science Bowl different from previous years?
Regional competitions will all be virtual events in 2023. Teams will not play head-to- head matches in the virtual regional competitions. Instead, teams are competing against all the other teams in the competition. Each regional competition will have at least 2 preliminary rounds, in which each individual team with be read the same sets of questions during each round. The teams with the highest combined point totals from all preliminary rounds will advance to the Elimination Tournament. The number of teams advancing to the Elimination Tournament will be decided by each Regional Coordinator.
What technology will the students and coaches need to use to participate in Science Bowl?
The competition will be online using Zoom meeting. Each student and coach are required to have a web camera and microphone to participate in the competition. In addition, another device with a camera must also be on the Zoom call via the Zoom app, to show the student's workspace and surrounding area during the competition, to help the officials ensure the students and coaches are not breaking any rules. If multiple students are in one location, additional cameras for each student may be required to ensure the workspace of each student can be monitored.
Each coach and co-coach may also be in the Zoom meeting. For each coach, another device with a camera must also be on the Zoom call via the Zoom app, to show the coach's entire person from the side. Any other adults in the same room with the students should also have a camera facing them.
No one should be recording any part of the questions - via audio, video, or writing.
Do you have any sample matches?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WILJWy2j8047TTLSxX0640u325I93ia0/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18FhTT3eVc1os8AxrJp-QvQsJXoU4mAHu/view?usp=sharing
How has the team structure changed this year?
Each competing team consists of 3 to 5 student members. Unlike previous years, all team members will compete at the same time no matter if a team has 3, 4, or 5 students.
Dates
When does team registration begin?
October 3rd -- 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 12/1/22 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 1st may result in the team losing their spot.
FIRST TEAMS WILL BE APPROVED
Regional Coordinators will begin approving TEAM ONE submission on December 2nd.
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 (date TBD) and will NOT be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Again-no need to rush!
On (date TBD) 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.
On (date TBD) 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 25, 2023
What date is the Middle School Competitions
Saturday March 4, 2023
Online Registration and Team Information
I am having trouble with registration who should I contact?
Alicia Delmastro at Alicia.Delmastro@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?
A team is made up of 3 to 5 students and a teacher or an adult to act as an advisor/coach to compete. No more than 5 students are permitted to be on a team and no more than 2 coaches per team. If adult chaperones are not a school employee, they will have to get prior approval by the school's principal.
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 for 2023.
Location and 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?
The 2022 Western Pennsylvania Regional Science Bowl will be a VIRTUAL event. Teams can meet as a group at their local school or participate in different locations.
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 Alicia Delmastro at Alicia.Delmastro@netl.doe.gov.
Cancellations Information
Will you cancel Science Bowl because of the weather?
Science Bowl will go on rain, snow or shine. Since this is a VIRTUAL event, we do not plan on cancelling. 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.
