Metro Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl (MGKB) is a season of academic competitions where students in grades 6-8 answer questions about history, literature, mathematics, science, current events, and everything in between. Meets take place after school at middle schools around the Twin Cities.
During a meet, teams of 6 students begin with the written round, where they work cooperatively to complete a multiple-choice test. Based on their team’s written round score, they’re placed into rooms where 3 teams of 5 students compete to answer questions read by a KB coach or volunteer.
The first Knowledge Bowl season in Minnesota launched in 1979. What started with only eight schools participating has now grown to over 480 schools throughout the nine Minnesota Service Cooperatives across the state!
The MGKB Season includes an optional Kick-Off Meet, three Regular Season Meets, and an optional Statewide Meet. Review the Minnesota Academic Standards alignment for MGKB.
Schedule
2026-2027 Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl Schedule
Registration
Registration fees are based on BrightWorks membership status. To find out if your school/district is a member, please see the updated membership list.
Kick-Off Meet (optional): BrightWorks Member: $35 per team / Non-Member: $55 per team
Regular Season: BrightWorks Member: $155 per team / Non-Member: $310 per team
State Invitational (optional): BrightWorks Member: $35 per team / Non-Member: $55 per team
Scores
The following score sheets will be live links to automatically update during each meet.
Kick-Off Meets
November 12 – Mahtomedi MS
November 19 – St. Anthony MS
State Meet
February 20 – DaVinci Academy
Regular Season Meets
Meet 1
December 1 – Anoka MS for the Arts, Fred Moore
December 10 – Shakopee MS East
December 17 – Westwood MS
Meet 2
January 14 – Shakopee MS East
January 26 – John Glenn MS
January 28 – Jackson MS
Regionals Meet 3
February 9 – Cologne Academy
February 11 – Northdale MS
Partners
Thank you to our 2026-2027 partners for supporting Metro Knowledge Bowl! If you would like to learn more about supporting a meet for the MGKB season, please contact Betsy Narr at 612-638-1550.
Coach Resources
All Things MGKB (Handbook, Rules, Metro Directory, Hosting, Equipment Order Form, etc.)
Middle Grades KB Practice Questions
At a Knowledge Bowl meet, students…
Apply strategic thinking and deductive reasoning.
Are challenged to develop their interpersonal skills: confidence, sportspersonship, and leadership.
Communicate effectively and must work together in order to be successful.
Questions?
For more information on how your students can participate, contact Betsy Narr at 612-638-1550.
© 2026 SparkPath, Inc.
SparkPath@brightworksmn.org
612-638-1500
2 Pine Tree Drive, Suite 101
Arden Hills, MN 55112
EIN: 41-1948020
SparkPath is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that presents its programs in collaboration with BrightWorks, a Minnesota Service Cooperative. BrightWorks member districts/schools save 30-50% on SparkPath registration fees. For more information, visit www.brightworksmn.org.
