Last Wednesday morning, Kimball Elementary School fifth- and sixth-grade students ame together and answered questions on prime numbers, classic literature and geographical borders. The students are members of the KES Knowledge Bowl team. At a recent meet in Sartell, one KES team took third place out of 30 teams. The award winners included Kelsey Vigoren, Sarah Messer, Shantel Tschida, Alex Mies, Kelsi Woods and Sabrina Castle. Together, the team completed a written test and three rounds of oral questions. During the verbal questions, team members buzz in with their answers. The third-place team said that their special tactics of buzzing in helped lead to their victory. “Every now and then we get together to answer questions and practice buzzing in,” teammate Mies said. The group showed off their winning strategy by stacking their hands on top of one another over the buzzer. This way, if a member has the answer, they slapped down on the others’ hands which ignites the signal. The team said that they answer some hard and easy questions. Messer said her easiest question was on math. “I had to tell the sum of the prime numbers between six and 14. The answer was 31.” Together, the team remembered the hardest question. They said that they were asked to answer which state had the largest eastern border. After much thought, the team realized it was California. Vigoren said this one was tricky since the eastern border is landlocked in the United States. The starting line-up Just as sport teams choose the best players for positions, the academic achievers are grouped together for their areas of expertise. Some students are better at math, science, literature and/or history. Others are better at general knowledge or trivia. Originally, students are chosen to be involved with knowledge bowl if they score high on tests (the MCA or Iowa Basics) or are recommended by their teacher. Once students are identified, a letter is sent home asking if they want to participate. “They receive the letter and they have to make the decision if they want to be involved,” advisor Paulette Hauge said. An equation for success Knowledge Bowl participants learn more than answers to difficult questions. “It takes teamwork and confidence,” Vigoren said. Woods added, “You need to be positive.” “You need determination and a strategy at buzzing in,” Mies said. Parents agree that Knowledge Bowl is beneficial to students. Kris Nelson’s son is in the program and she has attended different meets as a chaperone. “The kids are so excited on the way up. It is such a great experience for them.” Principal Jon Clark echoed Nelson’s comment. “There is a great excitement for children to share what they learned. It is preparing students for involvement in junior high and high school. It shows students that there is so much more here than just school.” Hauge added, “It is another avenue for children to excel.” KES Knowledge Bowl has three teams and 16 participants. The organization will host its first local competition at KES Tuesday, Dec. 2. Volunteers are still needed to help out at the event. Interested persons should call the elementary school at (320) 398-5000 and ask for advisors Paulette Hauge or Patty Bauerly; Lisa Wallwork is the junior high advisor and can be reached at the high school at (320) 398-7700.
