Jan. 31, 2011 — California State University, Bakersfield is seeking volunteers for the 19th annual Kern County Regional Science Bowl. The competition is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 12, at CSUB from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year marks the 14th year the local Science Bowl has been hosted by CSUB.

The event features 32 five-member teams from 15 Kern County high schools competing in a question-answer quiz format that covers physics, math, computer science and astronomy. Matches consist of two eight-minute halves. Each match will have four officials in the room: a moderator, who will read the questions, a rules judge, a timekeeper and a scorekeeper.

The top two teams advance to the finals and compete in a double-elimination round, with the winner advancing to the National Science Bowl, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., April 28 - May 2.

Thomas Meyer, professor of physics/computer science and coordinator of the event, is looking for volunteers to help run the event and local businesses that are interested in donating prizes for the students. All officials must attend one training session to learn about the various positions and competition rules. The sessions are offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 8, 9 and 10 in Science III Room 309. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, morning snack and lunch, courtesy of event sponsors including Occidental of Elk Hills.

"Also, volunteers will get to watch Kern County's top science students compete," Meyer said.

All volunteers are welcome, regardless of educational background. For more information or to become a volunteer contact Penny Lampkins, (661) 654-3082 or plampkins@csub.edu. You may also go online to www.cs.csub.edu/Volunteer.html to volunteer directly.