FAQ Section
Online Competition Structure
How is 2021 Science Bowl different from previous years?
Regional competitions will all be virtual events in 2021. 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. After the competition is complete, the questions will be shared online.
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 4 or 5 student members. Unlike previous years, all team members will compete at the same time no matter if a team has 4 or 5 students.
Dates
When does team registration begin?
Registration begins October 1st. The registration acceptance will be on a first come, first serve basis for the first team a school enters. Please see team information for more details about additional teams.
What date is the High School Competitions
Saturday, February 27, 2021
What date is the Middle School Competitions
Saturday, March 6, 2021
When do I have to pay?
You will receive an email from us saying that your team is approved. Then, you should send in a payment to save your spot. All money is due by February 1st. If we do not have your check on or before February 1st, we will invite the next available team.
When does my paperwork have to be submitted?
All paperwork must be submitted into the system by February 10th.
When does my team need to be finalized?
High School - January 20th
Middle School - February 1st
Exception to rule is handled on an individual basis.
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 4 or 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.
Do I need the names of the students when I sign up?
No - In order to save your spot, we allow you to enter in generic names (for example: student 1, student 2, student 3, student 4, student 5).
Can I change the names of my players?
Yes! You can change the names of the players.
High School: up to January 20th
Middle School: up to February 1st
How and when will you notify me if my team was accepted?
We will notify you via email that your team was accepted. At that time, you will need to send in your payment to save your spot. If we do not have your payment by February 1st, we are going to assume you are not coming and take the next available team on our list.
Can I have a 2nd team?
You can enter in a 2nd team; however, they will only be accepted if we have room after we approve 1st teams from other schools. We will take a maximum of 40 high school and 32 middle school teams. Your 2nd teams should be ready to go on short notice just in case we have last minute cancellations.
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?
The cost is $75.00 per team and is non-refundable.
When do I have to pay?
All money is due by February 1st. If we do not have your payment on or before February 1st, we will invite the next available team.
Who should I make the check out to?
TBD - Please check back on the website and watch emails for more information.
Where do I send my check?
TBD - Please check back on the website and watch emails for more information.
Our team cannot come to Science Bowl, can we get our money back?
We are sorry, your deposit is non-refundable.
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.
End Time High School - Since this is our first year doing a VIRTUAL event, we suggest you plan for the entire day and if any reason you team cannot be reached, then they will forfeit their match.
End Time Middle School - Since this is our first year doing a VIRTUAL event, we suggest you plan for the entire day and if any reason you team cannot be reached, then they will forfeit their match.
What is the location of Science Bowl?
The 2021 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 February 10th. 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.
