Class Description Middle School Science Bowl

Middle School Science Bowl

  • Instructor: Mohan, Ph.D.
  • Grades: 6-8
  • Fee: $749
  • No recording
  • Every Saturday, Dr. Mohan sends out emails containing all class materials (including class notes, homework, the class Zoom link, etc.) directly to both parents and students. If you haven’t received the email by Sunday morning, please reach out to Momentum Learning.

2024 Spring

Science Bowl II

Session 1 (Online)

Sunday 10AM – 12PM CST
Dates: Feb 4 to May 5
No Class Date: March 10, 17

Science Bowl II

Session 2 (Online)

Sunday 4PM – 6PM CST
Dates: Feb 4 to May 5
No Class Date: March 10, 17

2023 Fall

Science Bowl I

Session 1 (Online)

Sunday 10AM – 12PM CST
Dates: Sept 10 to Dec 3
No Class Date: Nov 26

Science Bowl I

Session 2 (Online)

Sunday 4PM – 6PM CST
Dates: Sept 10 to Dec 3
No Class Date: Nov 26

Middle School Science Bowl

National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Middle and high school student teams from diverse backgrounds are comprised of four students, one alternate and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach.

These teams face-off in a fast-paced question-and-answer format, being tested on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and math.

The Department of Energy (DOE) created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. Approximately 265,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl throughout its 26-year history, and it is one of the nation’s largest science competitions. We are looking forward to showcasing the diverse, talented and knowledgeable students on our campus.

Goals of Class: Middle School Science Bowl I is a 12-week middle-school science program. Together with MS Science Bowl II, III and IV, a total of 48 MS Science topics are covered.

The goals of this class are to:
1. Deepen and broaden the student’s interest and understanding of Science
2. Provide a solid foundation in Science, so that the student is eventually well prepared for high school Science
3. Sharpen the student’s competitive edge in Science Bowl competition

The modules are structured to be independent of each other. You can begin with any of the 4 modules, and plan to complete all 4 modules in any sequence you wish. For example, if you have not taken Module I or II, you could begin with Module III and complete the remaining modules in sequence.

Class schedule: Classes are on Sundays from 10-12 am or 4-6 pm CST online through Zoom. Class notes and the zoom link will be e-mailed to the class on Saturdays.

Structure of Class: The class includes lectures, explanatory movies, hands-on activities (wherever feasible), student quizzes, as well as a buzzer-based practices with Science Bowl questions

Recommended Textbooks: Students should read the corresponding chapters in the Science textbook recommended by their school. Suitable textbooks include any one of these:

What students are expected to do (for maximum learning experience):

  • Read corresponding chapters from textbook, ahead and after the class.
  • Instead of detailed lecture notes, “Highlights & Keywords” are provided for each chapter. The student should take full advantage of these handouts, by adding any notes based on the class lecture, textbook reading, movies seen in class, etc. Once fully annotated, these will be very useful for preparing for Science Bowl, and Science examinations.
  • Participate actively in class discussion and buzzer rounds.
  • Practice answering Science Bowl questions using the quiz sets posted at the NSB website: https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions
  • Weekly buzzer-based quizzes and a written exam will be used to gauge the student’s progress. Frequent revision of the “Highlights & Keywords” provided and the school textbook will enable the student to do well on these assessments.

Topics Covered:

MS Science Bowl II (Spring 2024)

2.1 Atoms/Molecules, Empirical/Molecular Formula, Atomic/Mass numbers, Polyatomic, Balancing Chem Equations
2.2 SI Units, Interconversions, Density, Moles, Molecular/Formula Mass, Molarity and Stoichiometry calculations
2.3 Definition/properties of Acids, Bases, Salts, Common examples, pH, Strong vs Weak acids/bases, Neutralization
2.4 Organic chemistry: alkanes/alkenes/alkynes; saturated/unsaturated, isomers, alcohols/ethers/esters/amines
2.5 Macromolecule: Mono/Di/Polysaccharides,Triglycerides/Steroids/Phospholipids,4 levels of Proteins, RNA vs DNA
2.6 Animal/Plant/Bacterial Cells, Organelles, Cell membranes, Cell theory, Light vs Electron Microscopy; SEM vs TEM
2.7 Cell cycle (Interphase,G1,S,G2,Mitosis), Replication, Transcription vs Translation, Genetic Code, Asexual Repro
2.8 Alleles, Genotype, Phenotype, Dominant, Recessive, Punnett Square, ABO group, Karyotyping, Down’s Trisomy
2.9 Terrestrial Biomes: Tundra/Taiga/Temperate/Tropical/Savanna/Grassland/Chapparal/Deserts, Wind erosion
2.10 Rivers, Stream Transport, Active/Passive margins, Shore features, Fresh water vs Marine Biomes, Glaciers
2.11 Geological Eon/Era/Period/Epoch, Mass extinctions, Absolute/Relative Dating, Body/Trace/Index Fossils
2.12 Minerals – Hardness/Luster/Cleavage/Streak/Special properties, Silicates/Non-silicates, Geology Review

MS Science Bowl III (Fall 2024)

3.1 Solar system, Terrestrial/Gas Planets & Moons; Asteroids, Meteoroids, Meteors, Comets, Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud
3.2 Sun layers, Nucleosynthesis, Solar/Lunar Eclipses, Insolation, Seasons, Solstice/Equinox, Precession, Moon, Tides
3.3 Star evolution, H-R Diagram, Main sequence/Red giant/Black hole/Neutron star/White dwarf, OBAFGKM classes
3.4 Constellations, Ecliptic, Spiral/elliptical/irregular Galaxies, Star clusters, Superclusters, Quasars, Keppler’s Laws
3.5 Archaea/Bacteria, Gram stain, Binary Fission/Conjugation, Virus, HIV, Protists, Fungi, common infections
3.6 Bryophytes/Tracheophytes,Angiosperms/Gymnosperms,Photosynthesis/Transpiration, Xylem/phloem, Tropisms
3.7 Invertebrates: Sponge, Cnidaria, Worms, Mollusks, Echinoderms, Arthropods (insects/crustacea/arachnids)
3.8 Chordates, Vertebrates: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals (monotreme/marsupials/placentals)
3.9 Displacement/Distance, Speed/Velocity, Acceleration, Momentum, Scalar/Vector, Density, Specific Gravity
3.10 Forces, Newton’s Laws, F = m.a; Static/Kinetic Friction, Gravitational Force, Centripetal/Centrifugal Force
3.11 Work done = F.d, Power = F.d/t, Efficiency, 6 types of Simple Machines, Mechanical Advantage calculations
3.12 Mechanical, Kinetic & Potential Energy (gravitational/elastic/chemical/nuclear); Simple calculations

MS Science Bowl IV (Spring 2025)

4.1 Atmosphere and its layers, Ozone Hole, Greenhouse effect, Global warming, Acid Rain, Pollution
4.2 Meteorology, Weather instruments, Temperature, Humidity, Air density, High vs Low pressure and winds
4.3 Global wind systems, Coriolis effect, Jetstream, Sea/Land/Mountain breeze, Hurricane/Tornado/Hail/Blizzard
4.4 Cold/Warm/Occluded/Stationary Fronts, Water Cycle, Clouds, Ground water, Global ocean currents
4.5 Natural Selection, Evolution, Homologous, Analogous, Vestigial structures, Adaptive Radiation, Biodiversity
4.6 Ecology, Food chains/webs, Bioaccumulation, Ecological Succession, Population growth, carrying capacity
4.7 Species competition, prey/predator, Mimicry, Types of Symbiosis, Keystone/Foundation/Invasive Species
4.8 Human diseases – autoimmunity, allergy, degenerative, cancer, behavior-induced diseases, infections
4.9 4 Phases of Matter, Heat, Phase changes, Heat transfer, Latent Heat, Boyle’s, Charles, Gay-Lussac Law
4.10 Longitudinal/Transverse waves, frequency, amplitude, interference, Sound, decibels, SONAR, Doppler effect
4.11 Electromagnetic Spectrum, Reflection/Refraction, Mirrors/Lenses, Mixing colors, Lasers
4.12 Static Electricity, AC/DC, Ohms Law, Series/Parallel Circuits, Magnetism, Faraday’s Law; Final competition

MS Science Bowl I (Fall 2023)

1.1 4 Earth Layers, Tectonic Plates, Continental drift, Seafloor spreading, Earthquakes, P/S/Love/Raleigh waves
1.2 Convergent/Divergent/Transform boundaries, Faults/Fold/Fracture, Joint, Orogeny, Volcanos, Coral Reefs, Guyot
1.3 Igneous/Sedimentary/Metamorphic/Intrusive/Extrusive Rocks, Felsic/Mafic lava, Dike/Sill/Laccolith/Batholith
1.4 Mechanical/chemical Weathering, Eolian, Erosion, Mass wasting, O/A/B/C/R horizons, Pedocal/Pedalfer/Laterite
1.5 Human Body I– Integumentary, Musculoskeletal systems, Joint types, Skeletal/smooth/cardiac muscles, Blood
1.6 Human Body II–Circulatory/Respiratory/Immune system;Asthma/bronchitis/atherosclerosis/LDL/HDL/AIDS/SCID
1.7 Human Body III– Brain/Neurons/Endocrine/Eyes/Ears, Alzheimers/Diabetes/Graves/Myopia/Cataract/Glaucoma
1.8 Human Body IV–Digestive/Excretory/Reproductive systems, Menstrual Cycle, Reflux/ulcers/cirrhosis/Transplants
1.9 Atoms, Elements, Compounds, Isotopes, Homogenous/Heterogenous mixtures, Alloys, Atomic & Mass numbers
1.10 Electron Shells, Periodic Table; Periods vs Groups; Valence, Lewis Dot Diagram, Metalloids, Transition Elements
1.11 Metallic/Ionic/Covalent bonding; Cations/Anions; Chemical Formulae; common acids/bases/salts and their uses
1.12 Synthesis/Decomposition/Single/Double Replacement, Catalysts, Endothermic/Exothermic; Balancing equations

Instructor

Chandra Mohan, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Mohan is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, and has more than 20 years of teaching students at all levels, ranging from middle school to post-graduate levels. He has a PhD in Immunology, a medical degree, a graduate degree in computer science and post-doctoral training in Genetics. His research interests range from bioengineering applications in Medicine to studying disease models of autoimmunity and cancer.

He has been teaching Science Bowl and Biology Olympiad to middle school and high school students for more than 5 years, and has shepherded Texas teams to the National Science Bowl in Washington DC, for three years consecutive years. In 2019, Dr. Mohan led the Texas team (Dulles High School) and placed 2nd in the National Science Bowl. His student(s) also have made the biology training camp.

He strongly believes the Science Bowl (and similar competitions) represent an excellent conduit for learning Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth/Space science. Through these teaching sessions, he hopes to stimulate interest in Science, and channel more students into STEM oriented professions.