For Individual Volunteers, NOT Groups
Officiate for a 2026 Northeast Regional Science Bowl: High School at MIT
WHEN
- Saturday 2/21/2026, 8am to 1pm or to 6pm
-
Sign up by 2/08/2026
WHAT
This is the eleventh year that the middle school regional competition is being held. Matches will be played head-to-head in-person.
While no science/engineering knowledge is required to keep score or time, or serve as an administrator, a positive and supportive attitude and attention to detail are very important for all roles.
We only need EXPERIENCED volunteer score keepers, time keepers, and administrators, and possible backup moderators and science/question judges:
- Moderators Read questions for the students for several hours. Strong STEM background is required, and prior competition experience as a competitor and/or official is strongly recommended.
- Science/Question Judges Follow along to ensure that moderator reads questions accurately, operate buzzer software and recognize students, and handle challenges on scientific merit. STEM background required. Prior NSB/comparable quiz bowl experience desired.
- 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 Make sure moderator and students observe the timing rules of the competition. As needed, loudly announce when time runs out and "5-second" warnings.
- Administrators Check teams in, run score sheets, set up, and perform miscellaneous tasks to help the competition run smoothly, ensure lunches are only consumed by competitors and volunteers - 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
Participation in this project is limited to people who have previously volunteered with PMD.
WHERE
1/24 Boston University, Boston
2/21 MIT, Cambridge
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.
HOW
To officiate on 2/21 apply by 2/8 at http://pmd.org/s/NEbowls2026.htm
Registrants must be age 18 or older and agree to an online MIT Science Bowl Code of Conduct.
Incomplete submissions cannot be honored.
We canNOT accept any UNregistered, walk-in volunteers.
Participation is required for the entire project shift for which you sign up.
AFTER each 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 of your training-practice session and competition shift on your calendars AND add [email protected] to your address/white/allow list.
Then a few days before the training-practice and this competition the MIT organizers will email specific details, including directions to the project site by public transit and by car, what to expect, checklist, and map.
WHO
Northeast middle and high school students will compete head-to-head, in-person, at Boston University on 1/24 a d at MIT on 2/21. Each team has 4-5 students and a coach who is usually a teacher.MIT students from the MIT Science Bowl Club organize this annual competition as well as a high school invitational each November.
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 middle school 2025 national finals championship round: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=tpNeZH8XF7WMHQ_w&v=weUK_KGlYh0&feature=youtu.be