The abridged version of this article appeared in the June. 2023 print edition of The Mirror. This is an uncut version.

“Which human body organ is composed of nephrons?”

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Five seconds to answer…

“The kidneys!” Josh Paramban shouted.

Four points were awarded to the school’s Science Bowl team in the first round of this year’s LAUSD regional competition against Larchmont High School, along with a chance at a 10-point bonus question.

After two years of virtual competitions due to the pandemic, this year marked a triumphant return to in-person contests, reigniting the electrifying atmosphere unique to Science Bowl.

“Last year’s competition felt somewhat impersonal as everyone participated in Zoom meetings and breakout rooms,” recalled Science Bowl sponsor Ms. Tracy Kim. “But this time, it was much more engaging and enjoyable.”

This year, the school fielded two teams. Team A consisted of Captain Shahen Akopyan, Trenton Ayson, Raina Marangattu, Srijesh Molala and Abhinav Nair, while Team B included Captain Jacob Merida, Rushfiq Hossain, Iftykhar Ifty, Edgar Lalafarian and Paramban. Both teams competed independently.

Similar to sports teams with a Junior Varsity and Varsity distinction, Team A boasted seasoned participants, while Team B comprised Science Bowl newcomers.

Although the school’s team achieved a commendable top-20 placement at the regionals held in March, only the victorious North Hollywood High School Team A advanced to the National Tournament in Washington D.C.

Contestants face an unpredictable array of questions, requiring acute intellect and comprehensive mastery. The thrill lies in the unknown, as competitors are not privy to the questions or topics in advance. Teams race against the clock, relying on their individual preparation and collective brilliance to outshine their rivals.

Preparation for Science Bowl requires extensive individual studying as team members are expected to possess a wide range of knowledge across various scientific branches. According to Ms. Kim, participation in Advanced Placement (AP) classes is advantageous for the program.

“Questions could span from college-level biology to chemistry,” Ms. Kim explained. “Taking AP classes certainly aids in preparation, although most students must rely on independent study.”

While AP courses provide a solid foundation, the essence of Science Bowl lies in the unwavering curiosity and determination that drive each competitor’s journey. The experience not only expands students’ knowledge in specific subjects but also better equips them for AP exams.

“In general, successful participants are often those who take AP science classes,” she added. “These courses naturally prepare students not only for the AP test but also for these competitions.”

Although not mandatory, taking AP classes enhances one’s chances of success in Science Bowl competitions. The questions posed during the competition tend to be more advanced, making AP coursework valuable for effective preparation.

Beyond the pursuit of victory, Science Bowl fosters invaluable skills essential for thriving in the scientific realm. Critical thinking, rapid problem-solving, and effective teamwork serve as cornerstones in this intellectual arena, ultimately preparing participants for future careers in science.

Akopyan attests to the transformative power of the competition, describing it as a crucible that sharpens his abilities while fueling his passion for a scientific career.

“If you’re pursuing a STEM major or a career in the STEM field, Science Bowl is undeniably worth it,” he affirmed. “Personally, as an aspiring biochemistry major with ambitions of attending medical school, Science Bowl aligns perfectly with my academic goals.”

Participating is also a chance for students to boost their college applications.

“If you want to go to the top schools, it does help,” Ms. Kim said. “A lot of the kids that are part of Science Bowl, they are your future engineers, your future doctors, your future programmers.” 

The impact of Science Bowl extends far beyond the confines of the competition hall. Its alumni, armed with a reservoir of scientific knowledge, have gone on to reshape the world as engineers, doctors, and innovators. Their journey, sparked by the intensity and intellectual vigor of Science Bowl, stands as a testament to the event’s lasting impact.

“Brijesh Moala (Srijesh’s older brother) comes to mind immediately when I think about successful students,” Ms. Kim said. “He’s at UCLA right now as an astrophysics major and he helps out a lot with these competitions currently and he loves it.”

A former participant turned college scholar, Moala, exemplifies the profound influence of Science Bowl. Moala’s dedication to the competition has endured, as he selflessly returns to lend his expertise and support to the next generation of aspiring scientists. 

His story serves as testament to the transformative power of Science Bowl that extends well beyond the final buzzer.

“It’s literally like a game, a buzzer-based game, and I think it’s really worth anyone’s time,” Akopyan said.

When Akopyan joined Science Bowl in 10th grade, he was a part of Team B. Now in his senior year, he has worked his way up to captain of Team A.

“Ms. Kim recommended me to join Science Bowl back in 10th grade and I tried out,” he said. “I made the tryouts to be part of Team B at the time and I stuck with it.” 

As captain of Team A, Akopyan conducts tryouts and collaborates with Ms. Kim as their sponsor to pick students who are best fit for competitions from tryouts.

“We hold tryouts around October and November, and we have a bunch of applicants who want to try out for certain subjects,” he said. “I get a sense of what they’re really into through a buzzer practice game and from there I can decide to put them in Team A or Team B.”

While many people can try out, only 10 get to compete. 

“We select 10 for the actual competition, but the rest still stay because it shows commitment,” Akopyan said. “If they’re a sophomore and don’t get picked for a team right now, they might get picked next year because they committed to it and stayed and studied on their own.” 

Science Bowl is great for anyone who has an interest in science. Both Ms. Kim and Akopyan encourage anyone who wants to join to try out. 

“In Science Bowl, you feel the adrenaline running through which is why I think it’s really fun,” Akopyan said. “I’ve got Ms. Kim to thank for bringing me into this world and showing me how fun Science Bowl can be.”