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, two Regular Season Meets, one Regional Meet, and an optional Statewide Meet. Review the Minnesota Academic Standards alignment for MGKB.
Schedule
2025-2026 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: $30 per team / Non-Member: $50 per team
Regular Season: BrightWorks Member: $150 per team / Non-Member: $300 per team
State Invitational (optional): $50/team
Scores
The following score sheets will be live links to automatically update during each meet.
Kick-Off Meets
November 11 – DaVinci Academy
November 18 – Mahtomedi MS
Regular Season Meets
Meet 1 – December 4 – Shakopee MS East
Meet 1 – December 11 – Skyview MS
Meet 1 – December 16 – St. Anthony MS
Meet 2 – January 22 – John Glenn MS
Meet 2 – January 27 – Shakopee MS East
Meet 2 – January 29 – Jackson MS
Regional Meets
February 10 – Cologne Academy
February 12 – Northdale MS
State Invitational Meet
February 21 – DaVinci Academy
Partners
Thank you to our 2025-2026 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.
Donaldson Foundation
Lions Club – Ham Lake
Sgt. John Rice VFW Post – Blaine
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.
© 2025 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.
