For Individual Volunteers, NOT Groups
Officiate for the New England Promise Regional Science Bowl
WHEN
- Sunday 3/05/2023, 8am to 3pm
- Rain Date: 3/05/2023 , 8am to 3pm
Volunteers may also commit to this "snow postponement" date.
Any weather postponement decision will be made on Thursday 3/2. -
Sign up by 2/14/2023
WHAT
This is the first time high school teams will compete in-person regionally since the pandemic began. Matches will be played head-to-head.
While no science/engineering knowledge is required to keep score or time, or serve as a communicator, a positive and supportive attitude and attention to detail are very important for all roles.
We particularly seek volunteer moderators, but also welcome applications for science/question judges, rules judges, score keepers, time keepers, and room communicators:
- Moderators Read questions clearly, maintain the pace of the game, and run the competition room. Must demonstrate excellent public speaking skills and mastery of match flow and rules during practice/selection process. Strong STEM background is required, and prior competition experience as a competitor and/or official is strongly recommended. "Dress-rehearsal" is Sunday 2/26, 11am-3pm.
- Science/Question Judges Follow along to ensure that moderator reads questions accurately and operate buzzer software and recognize students. STEM background required. Prior NSB/comparable quiz bowl experience desired.
- Rules Judges Resolve rules challenges from Science Bowl Central. Prior competition experience as a competitor and/or official is required.
- Score Keepers Keep track of and tally the scores for two teams. Requires attentiveness, focus on game play/details, and accurate arithmetic skills.
- Time Keepers Mark the game time with clock and stopwatch. Issue loud verbal warnings before and when time runs out. Stop the game clock for challenges.
- Communicators Use a group chat system to update Command Central when matches begin/end, requests for help, etc. No prior experience or training-practice required
Learn more about the National Science Bowl organized by the US Department of Energy at https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb
*Equity criteria are described under WHO below.
WHERE
UConn-Storrs, CT
Note: PMD only shares specific directions, maps, and other details with registered volunteers since we cannot accommodate any walk-ins, i.e., unregistered volunteers simply showing up.WHY
The NSB encourage excelling in the sciences and math, and further encourage STEM careers. Teams answer fast-paced questions about biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics, energy, and math. Students meet current and retired professionals from STEM fields. NSB also exposes students to opportunities offered by the DOE's Office of Science, such as internships, jobs, and connections to basic research.
The New England Promise Bowl is an equity-centered competition that aims to involve more diverse (i.e., income, ethnicity, and education) teams. The wining Promise team will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Finals, which will allow them to network and learn from the nation's top teams and coaches, plus experience field trips and other fun events.
HOW
To officiate apply by 2/14 at http://pmd.org/s/030423.htm
Registrants must be age 18 or older and ideally have prior national science (or ocean sciences) bowl experience as a past competitor and/or volunteer official.
Incomplete submissions cannot be honored.
We canNOT accept any UNregistered, walk-in volunteers.
Time commitment is required for the entire competition day, seven (7) hours, which includes lunch (provided) break.
AFTER the 2/14 application deadline, interested volunteers can join the backup list, since we anticipate (and promote) cancellations due to illnesses and covid-19 exposures. Joining the PMD backup list means making a commitment to reserve the shift (and any required training) that you select until the date you provide.
Call PMD if you cannot apply using our form.
If you experience any difficulty applying online to volunteer with PMD, please immediately CALL THE PMD OFFICE at
After you apply, you will see a confirmation screen and receive a confirmation email message, so be sure to save the date and times on your calendars AND add Lori@pmd.org to your address/white/allow list.
Then a few days before the rehearsal date and this competition PMD or the UConn organizers will email specific details, including directions to the project site, what to expect, checklist, and map.
WHO
The New England Promise Regional Science Bowl is an equity-centered competition for high schools from New England that qualify with one or more of the following:- More than 75% of the students in the school qualify for free or reduced lunch
- More than 75% of the students in the school identify as racially or ethnically underrepresented populations in STEM (i.e. Black, Hispanic, Latinx/e, Indigenous)
- More than 50% of the students on a team would be the first in their family to attend college/li>
People Making a Difference (PMD) is a nonprofit organization that promotes informed and responsible volunteerism by involving people in tangible work that meets local needs and by assisting companies in building successful community involvement programs that:
- Produce appreciable results while conserving recipients' limited resources
- Educate volunteers about broader issues
- Bring people together to make a difference
Video of the in-person high school 2022 national finals championship round: https://youtu.be/4rWYhgyAxhg