Fierce (and Fun) Competition

Student teams from Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, and Wadena-Deer Creek school districts will advance to the state level Knowledge Bowl competition after placing top four in the regional event this February.

A team from Brainerd High School placed first, with Pequot Lakes taking second, Pierz third, and Wadena-Deer Creek fourth. All four teams move on to represent Region 5 at the Minnesota State Knowledge Bowl tournament, which will be held April 11-12 at Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd.

Phillip Olsen, Sourcewell student academic coordinator, said the 2023-2024 Knowledge Bowl season was marked by a very high level of competition, with 90 teams from 21 districts competing throughout the regular season. All competed in three seasonal meets, with 17 districts competing at the regional meet.

"This year’s regional meet brought the best teams from 17 districts together," Olsen said. "10 teams were in the mix for these top four spots, right up until the final round."

Knowledge Bowl, sponsored locally by Sourcewell, is for students in grades 6-12. Each team of students works together to answer questions related to many fields of knowledge such as history, math, science, and literature. Students test their memory, critical thinking, reflexes, and teamwork in a series of rounds including a written questions round as well as real-time “buzz in”-style quiz rounds.

Competitions are in January and February, with top teams in grades 9-12 advancing to the Minnesota State Knowledge Bowl competition in April.