Forget Football—These Colorado Teens Flipped the Regional Science Bowl Rankings

Foreshadowing the Super Bowl, Students From Across the State Showcased Their Academic Prowess at the Colorado High School Science Bowl

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The match kicked off with a question from the moderator that had the audience on the edge of its seats.

“If a periodic wave on a string has its frequency doubled, the power carried in the wave is multiplied by what factor?”

For many, this might have led to a fumble. But for 17-year-old Jacob from Stargate Charter School, it was a perfect pass. Without missing a beat, the team captain buzzed in with confidence:

"Four."

With each correct response, Stargate continued to move the ball down the field, racking up points. Teammates Leo, Shirley, Tristan, and Melinda worked together like a well-oiled offense, securing their school’s regional championship title.

The stakes were high on Feb. 8, 2025, with 24 teams from 19 Colorado schools vying for the chance to represent Colorado in the National Science Bowl Finals in Washington D.C. This was not just any scrimmage—this was a battle of the best and brightest.

Since its creation in 1991, the tournament has become one of the United States’ largest and most prestigious science competitions, aiming to inspire young people to excel in mathematics and science and to consider careers in these fields. The tournament is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), with its top sponsors including DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver.

Students were asked five rounds of 18 questions during the preliminary rounds, with the top 16 teams advancing to the double elimination rounds, where the competition grew more intense.

Unlikely Victors Take the Gold

After over seven hours of fast-paced, high-stakes matches, Stargate found themselves face to face with the reigning champions, Fossil Ridge High School. Just one year earlier, Fossil Ridge had narrowly defeated them, snatching victory away in the final moments. Now, Stargate had a shot at redemption, and the pressure was on.

“Up to this point in the tournament, we hadn’t actually faced them. I didn’t know what to expect,” admitted Tristan, a Stargate team member.

But any nerves quickly evaporated as Stargate dominated the round. With an explosive performance, they crushed Fossil Ridge’s four-year winning streak with a final score of 106 to 22.

The win left many in the crowd astonished, as Stargate almost did not compete at all. Due to a registration error, they were initially left off the roster. It was not until two days before the event that they got the call—another team had to drop out due to illness, and Stargate was being subbed in.

The problem? They had not been training for the Science Bowl at all.

Until that point, they had been preparing for the Knowledge Bowl, a competition that covers a much broader range of topics, including geography and literature. Switching gears at the last minute, the team had to rely on their quick adaptability and deep passion for STEM.

“In between every round, if we had like a 30-minute break, we would kind of just study,” Tristan said.

A Love of the Game

The dedication to learning was evident not only in Stargate's performance but also in every team that participated. Across the competition, students poured their time and energy into sharpening their skills.

Alani, a sophomore from Centennial High School in Pueblo, shared that one of the most exciting aspects of the competition was seeing how much her knowledge and understanding of such complex concepts had grown since the previous year. To train for the tournament, her team met multiple times a week after school, letting their curiosity guide them as they studied.

“When we didn’t know a subject, we would look at articles and research about it. Then we identified a few areas we were weak in, and we all kind of researched them on our own,” Alani said.

This year, the following Colorado schools were on the Science Bowl roster:

Derek Passarelli, DOE Acting Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, has helped organize the Science Bowl for 25 years. He remains inspired by the brilliance and dedication of the students who participate.

“Every year I get to see the most amazing students in Colorado doing the most amazing kind of work,” he said. 

Opportunities Beyond High School

To encourage the students’ thirst for knowledge, MSU Denver had booths set up for the competitors to visit between rounds.

Among the booths were representatives from MSU Denver’s Classroom to Career Hub, which helps students explore different career options as they study, connecting them with internships, scholarships, and other opportunities.

Lori Marie Huertas, the assistant director of MSU Denver’s industry partnerships, spoke with students about an upcoming opportunity to network with and learn from industry professionals and nonprofits about the opportunities they have both now and after they graduate. One of the partners is Equipando Padres, a nonprofit dedicated to helping parents know how to support their children as they transition out of high school.

“[We’re] just encouraging them to understand that MSU Denver is a resource for them now, while they’re a high school student, and even in the future,” Huertas said. “We have events where they can come, and so [we’re] encouraging them to do that and maybe even concurrent education.”

The Final Whistle

For many of the competitors, the Science Bowl was more than just a chance to win prizes—it was a celebration of their curiosity, dedication, and hard work. Events like the Science Bowl encourage young minds to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and deepen their understanding of complex subjects.

With innovation and hard work being essential to progress, these students are a beacon of hope. Their love of learning and willingness to tackle tough challenges signal a bright future not only for themselves but also for the scientific community and the world at large.

“Embrace this experience and just the fact that you all have a love of knowledge and curiosity. It’s an incredible thing,” Passarelli said. “And then maybe one day you will bring that knowledge and curiosity to the Department of Energy or one of the national labs!”

With their championship win, Stargate is now preparing for the National Science Bowl Finals in Washington, D.C. The road to victory is not over yet—but if their performance at regionals was any indication, they are ready to take on the best in the nation.