CS 151 Spring 2026 and Science Bowl: Difference between pages

From Computer Science at Indiana State University
(Difference between pages)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
VisualWikitext
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science is taken by CS majors during their first term, along with ECT 130.
Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.


This page contains the syllabus for CS 151 for the most recent offering (spring 2026). Previous terms - [[CS 151 Fall 2025]], [[CS 151 Spring 2025]], [[CS 151 Fall 2024]], [[CS 151 Spring 2024]], [[CS 151 Fall 2023]].
=Contact=
Mr. Derrick Bowman, [mailto:Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu], senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, [mailto:jkinne@cs.indstate.edu jkinne@cs.indstate.edu], professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.


Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly different for the online versus face to face students.
=Start Here=


=General Information=
'''Volunteers - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing start here (FAQ)]'''
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/CS_151


'''Your Instructor'''
'''Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results.]  We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.'''


[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] <br>
'''2026 Packet of information that is printed for volunteers/teams/etc. - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/packet%20for%20parents%202026.pdf packet for 2026]'''
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 <br>
''Instructor Office Hours:'' normally in my office - M 8:30am-10am; 11:30am-1pm; T 9:30am-3pm; W 8:30-10am; 11:30am-1pm; R 8:30am-3pm; F 8:30am-2:45am. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting<br>
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting


'''Lecture, Exam'''
=Competition Format=
Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.


''Lecture:'' MW 10-11:15am in Root Hall B-031, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded<br>
All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.
''Exams:''  every three weeks on Wednesdays (Jan 28, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 1) during lecture time (10-11:15am).  ''(For those with another class at that time, we will arrange the time after the term starts.)''<br>
''Final exam:'' Monday, May 4, 10-11:50am. ''(For those with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)''<br>


'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' Dan Rady ([mailto:drady@sycamores.indstate.edu drady@sycamores.indstate.edu]). Face to face sessions are Tuesdays 11am-noon and Thursdays 10am-noon in our classroom (Root Hall B-031). You can also email questions to Dan or set up a Teams meeting for extra help. Online sessions are [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWExZTVkZWQtY2VjZi00MjhkLThlOGItMWExZmFlNTc3MzQy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223eeabe39-6b1c-4f95-ae68-2fab18085f8d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229b4c13b9-6d24-444d-974c-97ad3414362e%22%7d Mondays 2-3pm] and [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTVjMWQ4NzgtZmVhNC00MjZhLTgzZjctN2I4NTRlOWQxZTJh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223eeabe39-6b1c-4f95-ae68-2fab18085f8d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229b4c13b9-6d24-444d-974c-97ad3414362e%22%7d Thursdays 4-6pm] on Teams
=Date and Time=
The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.


'''Graduate assistant help''' - TBD. See https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/ISU_CS_People#CS_Departmental_Graduate_Assistants
For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.


'''Prerequisites''' - none.
=Location=
The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202482877780754297710.0004ad7bf1654f4d6c424&ie=UTF8&ll=39.471589,-87.407055&spn=0.001202,0.012038&t=m&source=embed this google map] for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the [https://indianastate.edu/map interactive map] or [https://indianastate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/university-map.pdf printable map].


'''CRN numbers''' - 10544 for the face to face section, 10194 for the online section.
=Detailed Schedule and Results=
The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.


'''Required text'''
The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -
We will use selections from the following free online sources.
* Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (available free at https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/). We use the 2nd edition of the book (not the latest, which puts the topics in a different order than we will follow).
* [https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/ap-computer-science-principles Khan Academy AP CS Principles], in particular unit 1 digital information and unit 4 algorithms.
* Additional online sources as needed.
* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ccy6CXrdP9415bDEbzcI773cyDNI7p3rr3yA76QmgtQ/edit#slide=id.g877391eabf_0_116 turtle graphics]


'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs151/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs151/public_html/</code>.
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZGm8Hoiunyxx1p77haPAwu-I43YV1usxJRePlmLyYk/edit?usp=sharing 2026 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoAyUOOM6QY2Nqv_aWm-qoZqxgp0QsCR6K1R3j80QRc/edit?usp=sharing 2025 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rYXptWcJyCAoQGpCY51nEhqJjjnk5YF3D9baet_UoZk/edit#gid=588263783 2024 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u6LeObav0dnKB-7FVmSRPv5_DrfktcNb-GiL92YM_YE/edit?usp=sharing 2023 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JadvBO0JA_uEEOC4xHuJqpOUByrrKPb9STnTNYgDCbc/edit?usp=sharing 2022 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10JReQM6gW6--mYU2QPLz7jBonFgcbr733RkuTRuCs70/edit?usp=sharing 2021 Schedule and Results]  
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b0co6xDtdlSJrMOCSbpJAYdwxDsdJ-p-4GB8W7hIULk/edit?usp=sharing 2020 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m345BKzFW8aEBuho5XyODuYvbixLki1JLO_s2wTaZT4/edit?usp=sharing 2019 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKG_I-QeiJhe1qIUnOBW1OvrqGjV3tYbF8EO9TvF0h0/edit?usp=sharing 2018 Schedule and Results]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tc_raqlgBEUgazfidwg3MELa28zQeixGn5SlrPvq6G4/edit?usp=sharing 2017 Schedule and Results]


'''Programming practice''' Challenge problems...
=National Competition=
* [https://leetcode.com/explore/learn/card/the-leetcode-beginners-guide/692/challenge-problems/4421/ LeetCode beginning problems]
The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.
* [https://open.kattis.com/problems?f_language=-1&show_more_filters=on&f_min_difficulty=&f_max_difficulty=2&order=difficulty_data Open Kattis problems]


=Supplemental Instruction=
=Eligibility=
This course uses a supplemental instructor (SI) to provide extra sessions to help students who can use additional instruction beyond the regular lecture hours. The SI is a student who previously took the course and did well, and who works closely with the instructor to stay up to help students. SI sessions review content from lecture and what is needed for homework assignments. The SI is part of the course in Canvas so you can communicate with them that way if you like.
The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/High-School-Regionals/ High School Regionals] for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.


=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
=Refreshments and Lunch=
'''HW'''
Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.


'''Rules'''
Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.


'''Announcements'''
=Registration=
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).
See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.


=Course Description and Content=
=Registration Fee=
Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to


'''Course Description'''
<blockquote>
ECET Department, attn Science Bowl<br>
Indiana State University<br>
650 Cherry St.<br>
Terre Haute IN, 47809<br>
</blockquote>


The official description of this course from the catalog is 
If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.


"Core concepts that are foundational in computer science, including programming, use of computers for dealing with files and programs, how data is stored, number systems. Focus on building skills needed for programming and further study of computer science, and intermediate mastery of a particular programming language."
=Rules for Spectators=
The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.


'''Course Outline'''
* Electronic devices
* Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
* Writing
* Talking/whispering
* Ringing phone
* Entering room during match<br>
''You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.''
* The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.


This course outline is subject to change.
The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.


'''Weeks 1-6'''
The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.
* Setup accounts
* Intro to Linux
* Variables
* I/O
* Flow Control
* If-statements
* Turtle
* Loops


'''Weeks 7-14'''
=Resources=
* Functions
* Official information at DOE website -  [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Middle-School-Regionals Middle School Regionals],[https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources Rules], [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rhpi0lBeD1U-6nD2zvlBA DOE Science Youtube] (includes videos of championship match), [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Regional-Competitions/Resources/MS-Sample-Questions Sample questions]
* Chapter 4 - Lists
* Material to study: [http://www.physics4kids.com/ physics4kids], [http://www.cosmos4kids.com/ cosmos4kids], [http://www.biology4kids.com/ biology4kids], [http://www.chem4kids.com/ chem4kids], [http://www.geography4kids.com/ geography4kids], [http://mathguy.us/MathHandbooks.php mathguy]
* Chapter 5 - Collections
* Math Counts - [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/school-handbook school handbook], [https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series/past-competitions past competitions], [https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/problem-archive problem of the week]
* Chapter 6 - Strings
* DOE Middle School Science Bowl info at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Middle_School_Science_Bowl wikipedia]
* Bits, Bytes, Base and Logic
* Short Science Videos - [https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios PBS Digital Studios]
* Intro to algorithms
* [http://cs.indstate.edu/%7Ejkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer.html Timer/scoring web app] that we use ([http://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_2021.html modified for 2021 regionals]), or '''[https://cs.indstate.edu/~jkinne/kids/scienceBowlTimer_new.html Timer/scoring for 2026]'''
* Chapter 9 & 10 (Files)  
* [https://buzzin.live/ A free online buzzer website]
* [http://buzzersystems.com/deluxe/index.htm Buzzer system] that we use
* [https://cs.indstate.edu/info/files/scoresheet_big2.pdf Score sheets] that coaches may fill in during a match
* Volunteers - first look at some sample questions linked above, read Rules linked just above, watch some of the national finals for middle school (linked above), and then check [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhx1JUrrGg9Ke5dmA0ae8EDJD_1ASDOCH3IraVy96b4/edit?usp=sharing FAQ for Judges/Volunteers].  See also the DOE NSB information for volunteers: [https://science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb/Volunteers NSB Volunteers].


'''Week 15-16'''
=Historical Results=
* Final project and interviews
The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.


'''Learning Outcomes'''
* 2026: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Creekside, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Mason
* Able to use Linux systems and terminal - managing files, running code, using utility programs.
* 2025: '''Creekside Middle School''' (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
* Basic mastery of core programming concepts - data types, conditionals and loops, Boolean logic, functions, string operations, reading and writing files. In particular,  
* 2024: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
* Can take a specification and produce code implementing it.
* 2023: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
* Can take code and "play computer" to determine the precise results of running the code on a given input.
* 2022: '''Sycamore School''' (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
* Can take a partially complete program and specification for how it should work, and complete it.
* 2021: '''Sycamore School''', Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
* Can take a program with syntax or logical errors and fix the errors.  
* 2020: '''Sycamore School''' (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
* Understanding of good coding style and able to practice good coding style - use of functions to avoid redundant code, whitespace formatting, variable and function names, comments.
* 2019: '''Sycamore School''', Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
* Understanding of base systems, including ability to convert between binary, hex, octal, and decimal.
* 2018: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
* Understanding of and ability to explain different file types - text versus binary.
* 2017: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
* Able to read and write data with programs, including parsing simple file formats (e.g., csv).
* 2016: '''Sycamore School (second place at nationals)'''
* Understanding of sorting algorithms - able to "play computer" to execute sorting algorithms that were covered in class on small test cases.
* 2015: '''Sycamore School''' (tied for 7th at nationals)
* 2014: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2013: '''Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2012: '''Creekside Middle School''' (tied for 13th at nationals)
* 2011: '''Sycamore School'''
* 2010: '''Klondike Middle School'''
* 2009: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2008: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2007: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2006: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2005: '''Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)'''
* 2004: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2003: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2002: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''
* 2001: '''Honey Creek Middle School'''


=Assignments=
Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2026.jpg jade dome], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2025.jpg yellow], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2024.jpg purple], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2023.png red/maroon], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2022.png orange], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2021.png grey], [https://cs.indstate.edu/files/tshirt_2020.png navy].
 
'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.
 
'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.  
 
'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''
 
'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).
 
=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.
 
{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}
 
{{:Policies}}
 
{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}

Revision as of 21:33, 8 February 2026

Since 2001, the Indiana State University has hosted the Indiana Regional of the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl each year. Currently, this is coordinated between the departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. The competition normally takes place on the last Saturday in February in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The event is staffed mostly by ISU faculty and students, and receives financial support from ISU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Contact

Mr. Derrick Bowman, Derrick.Bowman@indstate.edu, senior instructor of mathematics at ISU, is the coordinator for the event. Dr. Jeff Kinne, jkinne@cs.indstate.edu, professor of computer science at ISU, is co-coordinator. Dr. Henjin Chi, professor emeritus of mathematics at ISU, was the founder of the event.

Start Here

Volunteers - start here (FAQ)

Teams - information on parking, lunch, etc. is below. The schedule of matches is here - 2026 Schedule and Results. We will have copies of a printout of the schedule, etc. for everyone. We will have a printout of the rules and score sheets for coaches.

2026 Packet of information that is printed for volunteers/teams/etc. - packet for 2026

Competition Format

Teams compete from different schools. A team is 4 or 5 middle school students, with 4 competing at any given time. The moderator reads "toss up" questions from different categories of math and science (see the link to sample questions below), and the first person to ring in gets a chance to answer. When a toss-up question is answered correctly, the team gets 4 points and a chance at a "bonus" question that the team discusses as a team. Bonus questions are worth 10 points. See the link below to the official rules for more details.

All teams compete in a round robin fashion during the morning. After lunch, the top 8 teams (based on results from the round robin rounds) compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the winner of the region. Teams that are eliminated can stay to watch other matches or compete in "fun rounds" after they are eliminated.

Date and Time

The regional competition is normally the last or second-to-last Saturday in February. The date is normally approved and announced in the summer for the following year. The contest normally begins around 8-9am, with teams arriving at least 15 minutes early to check-in on site. The final match of the contest is normally around 4:30pm.

For 2026, the contest will be on Saturday Feb 7, with team check-in at 8:30am and the last match of the day concluding by around 4:30. Team check-in will be in the main first floor hall of Root Hall.

Location

The contest takes place in the basement classrooms in Root Hall on ISU's campus. The address is 424 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809. Team check-in is in room A-011 in the basement. See this google map for the location of Root Hall. Note that all parking lots at ISU are free on the weekend (with the exception of gated or metered lots, none of which are very close to Root Hall). There are parking lots close to the department off of 7th, 8th, and 9th streets. For more on visiting ISU, see the interactive map or printable map.

Detailed Schedule and Results

The schedule of matches for the 2025 contest is linked below. The top 8 teams will continue competing after lunch in a double elimination tournament, with the last match around 4 or 4:30pm. Teams that are eliminated often stick around for a bit to have some "fun round" matches against parents or each other - rooms that no longer have matches in them will be left open for a period of time for this.

The results and schedule from recent years are in the following -

National Competition

The winning team from each regional contest, including the Indiana Regional, is invited to participate in the national contest in Washington, D.C. The Department of Energy pays for the trip for each winning team (team members and coach) to travel to Washington, D.C. The national event is normally during the last week of April or first week in May, from a Thursday to Monday.

Eligibility

The middle school regional contest is for middle school students only (grades 6, 7, 8). A separate competition for high school students takes place in Indianapolis; see High School Regionals for details. Teams must be approved by the school principal. The Indiana Regional normally takes teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Refreshments and Lunch

Lunch will be in the Sycamore Dining Hall (401 Chestnut St. and labeled on the google map). Each team coach is given a meal card with sufficient funds for 7 meals (5 team members plus two coaches) at the Sycamore Dining Hall (dining hall serving brunch, buffet style). Family members can join teams and pay for their own meals (about $12-13 per person).

Light refreshments (Square Donuts, fruit, cookies, drinks) are provided in the morning and afternoon for all who are present.

Registration

See the official information about the Indiana Regional at the DOE at the link below for information about registering. Registration normally opens sometime in October.

Registration Fee

Coaches should ensure the team registration fee is paid. This can be brought the day of the contest or mailed ahead of time. If paying by check, please make the check out to Indiana State University with Science Bowl in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to

ECET Department, attn Science Bowl
Indiana State University
650 Cherry St.
Terre Haute IN, 47809

If you need a receipt for payment please let us know at the contest.

Rules for Spectators

The following are NOT ALLOWED during competition.

  • Electronic devices
  • Pictures/video (you can take pictures/video before or after matches)
  • Writing
  • Talking/whispering
  • Ringing phone
  • Entering room during match

You may only enter the room during halftime or in between matches.

  • The team coach ONLY may keep score on the DOE scoresheet.

The team members ONLY may challenge during the contest, BEFORE the next question.

The national DOE NSB office has also asked us to more closely monitor who is present at the regional events. It should only be those who are competing, their coaches, and families. We have the right to 1) ask to see a photo ID from everyone, ages 19 and over, who attends the regional and 2) request the name, city, and state of everyone, ages 18 and younger.

Resources

Historical Results

The winning teams at the Indiana Middle School Regional have been as follows, in bold. 2nd through 5th place are also given for years that we still have this data. For all years except 2021 and 2022, there is a tie for 5th place due to the double elimination format that is normally used. If a school is listed twice in a year, then this is for two of their teams. For the winning team, if we know what their final place was at nationals that is listed in (). Our regional winner has won the national competition in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

  • 2026: Sycamore School, Sycamore, Creekside, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Mason
  • 2025: Creekside Middle School (top 24 at nationals), Sycamore, Meyzeek, Creekside, Sycamore, Woodrow Wilson
  • 2024: Sycamore School (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Clague, Mason, Creekside
  • 2023: Sycamore School (tied for 5th at nationals, Clague, Sycamore, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, Creekside
  • 2022: Sycamore School (top 9 at nationals), Creekside, Clague, Creekside, Cranbrook
  • 2021: Sycamore School, Mason, Creekside, Clague, Creekside
  • 2020: Sycamore School (top 32 at nationals), Sycamore, Clague, Mason, Greenhills, Honey Creek
  • 2019: Sycamore School, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Creekside, Woodrow Wilson, St. Patrick
  • 2018: Creekside Middle School (tied for 7th at nationals), Sycamore, Creekside, Honey Creek, Woodrow Wilson, Honey Creek
  • 2017: Sycamore School (tied for 7th at nationals), Creekside, Creekside, Sycamore, Honey Creek, Greenhills
  • 2016: Sycamore School (second place at nationals)
  • 2015: Sycamore School (tied for 7th at nationals)
  • 2014: Sycamore School
  • 2013: Creekside Middle School (first place at nationals)
  • 2012: Creekside Middle School (tied for 13th at nationals)
  • 2011: Sycamore School
  • 2010: Klondike Middle School
  • 2009: Honey Creek Middle School
  • 2008: Honey Creek Middle School
  • 2007: Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)
  • 2006: Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)
  • 2005: Honey Creek Middle School (first place at nationals)
  • 2004: Honey Creek Middle School
  • 2003: Honey Creek Middle School
  • 2002: Honey Creek Middle School
  • 2001: Honey Creek Middle School

Note: tshirt colors that have been used in recent years - jade dome, yellow, purple, red/maroon, orange, grey, navy.

Retrieved from "https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php?title=CS_151_Spring_2026&oldid=651"