VOLUNTEER DUTIES
Background
The Science Bowl competition utilizes a team of three volunteers: a moderator, a timer and a scorekeeper. The format of the competition is head-to-head team competition. A match consists of two eight-minute halves. There are two types of questions: toss-up questions (worth four points) and bonus questions (worth 10 points). A toss-up question must be answered correctly in order for a team to be offered a bonus question. Questions are either multiple choice or short answer.
Moderator
Perhaps the most interesting and challenging assignment. The moderator is in command and is the final decision maker regarding the competition. Teams have five seconds to respond after the moderator reads a toss-up question. The first player on either team to activate the lock-out buzzer system wins the right to answer the question. The student must be verbally recognized by the moderator before answering. If a student answers before being recognized, the answer does not count and the question is offered to the other team. A student must answer a question promptly. On toss-up questions, no consultation among team members may occur. The first answer given is the only one that counts. If the answer to a toss-up question is wrong and the question was completely read, the other team is given the opportunity to answer the toss-up question. If a toss-up question is interrupted, the player is recognized, and the answer is incorrect, four points are added to the opposing teams score. The question is reread and the opposing team has an opportunity to answer the question (and receive four points) and gets a chance to answer the bonus question. After a team member has answered a toss-up question correctly, the team is given the opportunity to answer a bonus question. Consultation among team members is allowed only for bonus questions. The team captain must answer the question within 20 seconds.
Timer
The timer calls "TIME" when time has expired at the end of the half, the break, and the end of the competition. Each half consists of eight minutes--the break consists of two minutes. After reading a toss-up question, the moderator will allow five seconds for the two teams to respond. The timer should call "TIME" after five seconds. On a bonus question, a team will have 20 seconds to answer. The timekeeper gives the signal "FIVE SECONDS" after 15 seconds of the allowed 20 seconds have expired. In addition, the timekeeper will indicate the end of the 20-second bonus period by saying "TIME." If the team captain has not begun the response before the timekeeper calls "TIME," the answer does not count.
Scorekeeper
The duty of this volunteer is to keep a visible running total of each team's score. This score will be visible to both the teams and the audience. Four points are awarded for a correct toss up question and ten points are awarded for a correct bonus question. If a toss-up question is interrupted, the player recognized, and the answer is incorrect, four points are added to the opposing team's score.
If would like to participate as a volunteer, or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Paul Ahern at --