Five Upper School students tested their knowledge in a fast-paced academic showdown last weekend at the 2026 Los Angeles Regional Science Bowl on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles.

The competition brought together high school teams from across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, for a buzzer-style academic tournament covering biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Earth and space science were also covered in the competition.  

The event featured teams competing head-to-head in rapid-fire rounds that challenge students to answer complex scientific questions in seconds.

St. Margaret’s students were successful at winning three matches during the preliminary rounds and finishing third place in their bracket. The top two teams from each bracket advanced to the knockout rounds later in the day.

The regional competition serves as a qualifying event for the National Science Bowl, an annual nationwide academic competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that brings together regional champions from across the country.

After their matches concluded, Upper School students spent the afternoon touring the UCLA campus before returning to San Juan Capistrano.

Edmund Herlihy, Upper School science teacher and department chair emphasized the value of the experience for students interested in science.

“I'm excited that St. Margaret's students have the opportunities to engage in science in many forms — during lab investigations, in classroom discussions, and in friendly, spirited competitions,” he said. “The National Science Bowl allows students to connect with their peers from across the region who share their passion for head-to-head science matchups that are both fun and competitive. It's a great experience for everyone involved.”