ORISE provides logistical support for DOE’s 2022 National Science Bowl

The DOE National Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Normally, more than 900 students, coordinators, and volunteers travel to the nation’s capital for the competition in late-April or early-May. However due to ongoing coronavirus-related restrictions, this year’s event included a National Semi-Finals Virtual Championship with 108 teams in May, followed by a smaller, in-person National Championship event from July 8-12, 2022 at the William F. Bolger Conference Center in Potomac, Md.

The 46 middle school teams and 62 high school teams competing in the National Semi-Finals Virtual Championship competed against more than 13,000 other students in regional competitions across the country. Approximately 100 volunteers assisted DOE by filling roles in the virtual competition such as timekeeper, moderator, and scorekeeper. ORISE staff assisted the virtual event by purchasing, packing, and shipping event and promotional materials to all 104 teams and volunteers participating in the virtual semi-finals prior to the May event.

When it came time for the in-person National Championship event, the top nine middle school teams and the top eight high school teams competed for the grand prize. ORISE coordinated and managed all NSB pre-planning meetings, travel logistics, procurement of meeting spaces and business amenities, processing payments, and post competition awards for the NSB Finals events.

Ultimately Lynbrook High School in San Jose, Calif., and Odle Middle School in Bellevue, Wash., were named 2022 National Science Bowl champions. Each team received $3,000 for their school’s science department and the students received a gift card to use towards personal educational expenses.

In a DOE-issued press release, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm complimented the teams saying, “Congratulations to Odle Middle School and Lynbrook High School for winning the 2022 National Science Bowl, and the ingenuity and dedication brought by all the teams to this challenging competition. By cultivating the next generation of technology and science leaders, we are investing in the future of America.” 

DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists created the National Science Bowl in 1991 and ORISE has assisted with coordinating and executing the competition on DOE’s behalf since 1998. Approximately 325,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl throughout its 31-year history, and it is one of the nation’s largest science competitions.