• For Teams

  • Eligibility
  • Forms
  • Rules
  • Travel/Lodging/Directions
  • Practice Questions
  • Buzzer Tips

• For Volunteers

  • Volunteer Form
  • Opportunities

• For Sponsors

  • Benefits
  • Sponsorship Form

• Contact

• Home

Volunteer Opportunities: Moderator

The Moderator is THE person responsible for controlling each match. It is important that you are familiar with how the game is played and all of the contest rules. Therefore, it is extremely important that you review the rules well in advance of the actual event.

Be sure to read about the format of the Science Bowl.  Also read the descriptions of the other volunteers' duties to understand how they support the moderator's role.

Introductions

• Introduce officials
• Ask students to introduce themselves
• Ask coaches to come to the front of the room, shake hands, and introduce themselves.

Rules

• Read the Important Rules sheet at the start of each game. This will be located in your packet.

Reading the Questions

• Announce whether it's a toss-up or bonus question.
• Announce the question category.
• Announce whether the question is multiple choice or short answer.
• Read the question.
• If a team correctly answers the toss-up question, then it is awarded the opportunity to answer a bonus question. After the bonus question, the round resumes with the next toss-up question.

Getting the Answer

• Verbally recognize the individual before she/he responds. Identify the student by announcing Team A or Team B and the participant ID (captain, 1, 2, or 3).

Who Won?

• Fill out the official score sheet. Put the official score sheet, the flipchart tally, and the Scientific Judge's questions in your envelope/packet. Have the packet taken immediately by a runner to Science Bowl Central.

Remember:

• If it's a toss-up question, then team members CANNOT consult with each other. If it's a bonus question, then consultation is allowed but the team captain must answer.
• The first answer always counts.

You will be provided with the questions for your games well in advance of the actual event. It is important for you to read all of the questions before the competition to help ensure that you read the questions smoothly during the match and to allow you to make certain of all pronunciations of scientific terms.