Volunteer Opportunity: Moderator

The Moderator is THE person responsible for controlling each match. It is important that you know how the game is played and fully understand all of the contest rules. Therefore, it is extremely important that you study 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

Speak clearly and distinctly.
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 student 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. The completed score sheets are signed by the moderator and scorekeeper. A runner takes the overhead transparency and signed score sheet to Science Bowl Central.

Remember:

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

You will be provided access to 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 ensure that you read the questions clearly and distinctly during the match and that pronunciations of all scientific terms are correct.