Jan. 18, 2012 — California State University, Bakersfield is seeking volunteers for the 20th annual Kern County Regional Science Bowl. The competition is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11, at CSUB from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year marks the 16th year the local Science Bowl has been hosted by CSUB.

The event features 32 five-member teams from 16 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 three officials in the room: a moderator, who will read the questions, 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 26 -30.

Event organizers are seeking volunteers to help run the event and local businesses to donate 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. 7, 8 and 9 in Science II Room 285. 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," said Thomas Meyer, professor of physics/computer science and coordinator of the event.

All volunteers are welcome, regardless of educational background. For more information or to become a volunteer, contact Dr. Thomas Meyer at (661) 654-2104 or e-mail plampkins@csub.edu. You may also go online to www.cs.csub.edu/Volunteer.html to sign up to volunteer.