MSJ Academic Challenge

Program

Science Bowl

A Jeopardy-style buzzer competition covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth & space science, math, and energy.

Overview

Science Bowl is a Jeopardy-style buzzer competition between two teams of five (four players plus one alternate). Each round covers about 25 question sets across six disciplines — biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space science, math, and energy — with individual toss-ups worth 4 points and team-discussed bonus questions worth 10.

How to Participate

Who can join
Open to any Mission San Jose High School student, grades 9–12.
Selection process
Tryouts are one-hour, buzzer-based tests held per subject; each student can try out for two subject sections, plus math optionally. Team selection weighs tryout scores alongside team synergy and behavior.
Time commitment
Set after tryouts, once teams are finalized.
Practice schedule
Practices use prewritten questions brought by each member, then split into teams to run full competition sets; exact times are set after tryouts and may change.
What to study
The six Science Bowl subject areas — biology, chemistry, physics, earth & space science, math, and energy.

Notable Achievements

Notable achievements
YearCompetitionPlacement
2026National Science BowlChampions
2026Stanford Science BowlChampions
2026Sandia Regional Science BowlChampions
2024-25Regionals1st place
2024-25NationalsTop 12
2024-25Berkeley Science Bowl1st place
2024-25Stanford Science Bowl1st place
2024-25MIT Science Bowl2nd place
2024-25Blair-Amador Invitational1st place
2024-25Texas Invitational1st place
2024-25Iron City Invitational1st place
  • Five students and their coach holding a green banner reading National Science Bowl, 2026 National Champion 2026 National Science Bowl Champions
  • The team on stage at the National Science Bowl holding a trophy cup National Science Bowl finals, 2026
  • The team in National Science Bowl polos holding a trophy on stage, wearing masks National Science Bowl, 2022

Captains

See the full team →

Upcoming Competitions

Upcoming competitions
DateEventLocation
TBAICSBT 2TBA
TBABerkeley Science BowlTBA
TBAMIT Science BowlTBA
TBAAVES 2TBA
TBAStanford Science BowlTBA
TBASandia/LLNL RegionalsTBA