If you need a fast answer to a tough science question, 10 Eden Prairie middle school students can deliver the goods.
Two teams from Central Middle School (CMS) brought their “A” game to the 2025 Minnesota Middle School Science Bowl Feb. 15, squaring up against nine other schools from across the state. The CMS competitors, all in grades 7 and 8, were:
CMS Team 1: Om Gautum, Rishabh Nanavati, Arav Ockenga, Lakshmi Satuluri and Sarah Zhou. Coached by Bill Prem, a CMS science teacher.
CMS Team 2: Aaron Clark, Ishaan Gupta, Lance Knorr, Max Muenzenmeyer and Rishit Singh. Coached by Cathy Oates-Bockenstedt, a CMS science teacher.
Teams competed head-to-head in fast-paced rounds to answer advanced science and math questions and solve technical problems. Top teams in the round-robin competition then competed in a double-elimination tournament to determine the state champion team.
This year, both CMS teams finished the morning round-robin competition with strong 5-1 records, which qualified them for the afternoon double-elimination tournament. Team 2 made it to the round of 12 before being eliminated. Team 1 made it to the final 8 before being knocked out, by the same team from Wayzata Central that knocked out Team 2.
Ultimately, a team from Minnetonka Middle School East won. In April, that team will represent Minnesota in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.
Prem said, “The kids had a great day. It was fun to see them have a chance to show off their considerable scientific knowledge and strong collaboration skills. While we didn’t get quite as far as we had hoped, going up against such tough competition really helps our students polish their skills.”
Science Bowl is fast-paced, energetic and competitive
Organized annually by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS), the event provides students who enjoy math and science a platform to deepen their knowledge and advance teamwork skills.
“Successful science bowl kids have a strong background knowledge in science, a competitive streak and the confidence to aggressively buzz in and try to beat other kids to getting the right answer,” Prem said.
The CMS teams work hard to excel, practicing every Friday after school. “Practices are a combination of studying, mini classes on select topics and practice buzzer rounds, which are very fast-paced and energetic,” Prem said.
About 35 students attend practice and compete for a few months, then the final two teams of five students each are chosen represent CMS at the state competition.
In addition to CMS, the middle schools that participated in the statewide event were Magnuson Christian School, Mahtomedi Middle School, Minnetonka East Middle School, Minnetonka West Middle School, Parnassus Preparatory School, Rosemount Middle School, Wayzata Central Middle School, Wayzata East Middle School, and Wayzata West Middle School.
About the Minnesota Academy of Science
MAS was founded in 1873 and is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for Minnesotans of all backgrounds to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning, inquiry, research and networking. MAS sponsors STEM education programs and events for students in elementary school through college.
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