Five Schools throughout Cape May County participated in the academic competition hosted at Upper Township Middle School
Eight out of the nine Middle Township Middle School student competitors, their coach, Mrs. Jessica Douglass and Principal Jeffrey Ortman pose for a photo during the Cape May County Brain Bowl at the Upper Township Middle School.
Upper Township, NJ – Nine Middle Township Middle School students and their coach, Mrs. Jessica Douglass, competed against four other middle schools in the county during the second-ever Cape May County Brain Bowl on May 23 hosted by Upper Township Middle School.
Students from Middle Township Middle School, Upper Township Middle School, Dennis Township Middle School, Ocean City Intermediate School, and the Richard M. Teitelman School competed for the Brain Bowl champion title after preparing for the competition for over a month. Categories studied included Math, Science, History, Literature and General Knowledge. Each team consisted of eight to nine players selected by teachers and staff based on academic excellence.
“The Brain Bowl is such a great way to allow our students to explore a shared interest for an intellectual challenge,” said Coach Douglass. “The team grows and learns together in a way that can be more exciting than just learning in a classroom.”
Middle Township Middle School’s social studies teacher, Mr. Josh McCarty, moderated the event. The first round included twenty questions, and the second round, twenty-five. Points were awarded for correct answers, taken away for incorrect answers and no points were taken or given if students “passed.” Sample questions touched on topics such as calculating interest, the well-known book of Tom Sawyer, and naming famous streets and their locations.
“This idea all started during monthly round table meetings with other local principals,” said Middle Township Middle School Principal, Jeffrey Ortman. “It’s amazing to see how far it’s come, even with the setbacks due to COVID. I can’t wait to see this program continue to thrive each year with more and more school participation.”
During its inaugural year, the Cape May County Brain Bowl had six schools compete. Middle Township Middle School placed second in 2019, prior to the two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions. Contact Jeffrey Ortman at [email protected] for more information on how to participate in next year’s Cape May County Brain Bowl.