Skip to main content

Top High-School Scholars to Compete in 19th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl

Competition to be held in Morehead City, North Carolina

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact:
Allison Hays, 202-787-1644, ahays@oceanleadership.org

Posted Wednesday, April 20, 2016 as a courtesy to the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. North Carolina Sea Grant is among the North Carolina sponsors for the event. Follow the events via Twitter: #NOSB16.NOSB

WHO: Winning teams consisting of four to five high school students from 24 regional competitions will compete in the 19th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), an education competition that tests students’ knowledge of ocean-related topics, which include cross-disciplines of biology, chemistry, policy, physics, and geology. The competition consists of buzzer-style, multiple-choice questions; longer, critical thinking-based team challenge questions; and the Science Expert Briefing, a mock congressional hearing where students present science recommendations on a piece of legislation, bettering their understanding on how science informs policy.

High-School Teams Competing in the 19th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl:

  • Bay Scallop Bowl — Midwood High School
  • Blue Crab Bowl — Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School
  • Blue Heron Bowl — Walter Williams High School
  • Blue Lobster Bowl — Lexington High School
  • Chesapeake Bay Bowl — Montgomery Blair High School
  • Dolphin Challenge — The Village School
  • Garibaldi Bowl — Dana Hills High School
  • Great Lakes Bowl — Dexter High School
  • Hurricane Bowl — Oxford High School
  • Lake Sturgeon Bowl — Marshfield High School
  • Loggerhead Challenge — Brandeis High School
  • Los Angeles Surf Bowl — Santa Monica High School
  • Manatee Bowl — Fort Pierce Central High School
  • Nor’easter Bowl — York High School
  • Orca Bowl — Garfield High School
  • Penguin Bowl — Centerville High School
  • Quahog Bowl — E.O. Smith High School
  • Salmon Bowl — Boise High School
  • Sea Lion Bowl — Albany High School
  • Shore Bowl — West-Windsor Plainsboro High School South
  • Southern Stingray Bowl — Irmo High School
  • Spoonbill Bowl — Academy of Environmental Science
  • Trout Bowl — Liberty Common High School
  • Tsunami Bowl — Mat-Su Career and Technical Center

WHAT: The theme for this year’s NOSB Finals is “Our Changing Ocean: Science for Strong Coastal Communities.” This topic encompasses numerous scientific disciplines and encourages an increased understanding of the science needed to sustain strong coastal communities, including improving community awareness; addressing erosion and increasing coastal populations and development; restoring coastlines; protecting estuarine ecosystems and services; and improving coastal disaster projection, preparedness, and response.

During the finals competition weekend, students will participate in a number of hands-on science activities, including a career mentoring event with leaders in the science field; a tour of Duke Marine Lab; and multiple field trips, including behind-the-scenes looks at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, a shark tagging trip aboard the R/V Capricorn, and a coastal marsh cleanup at Fort Macon State Park.

The top teams at the NOSB Finals will receive an all-expense paid award trip to various locations around the world to conduct scientific research with field experts.

WHEN: April 21-24, 2016 — April 21: career event; April 22: field trips and opening ceremony; April 23-24: NOSB Finals Competition

WHERE: Carteret Community College, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, North Carolina

WHY: Most high-school students do not have the opportunity to study ocean science as part of their formal coursework. To fill this void, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., created the NOSB as an educational forum to encourage and support the next generation of marine scientists, policy-makers, teachers, explorers, researchers, technicians, environmental advocates, and informed citizens to be stewards of the ocean. Many past NOSB participants have pursued college degrees and careers in ocean science, helping to solve the growing environmental, economic, and security challenges facing our ocean and planet.

In 2016, approximately 1,845 students — making up 369 teams from 272 schools — participated.

The 2016 national NOSB program is made possible through the following major sponsors:

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Office of Naval Research
  • Wendy & Eric Schmidt
  • Deerbrook Charitable Trust
  • IEEE Ocean Engineering Society
  • Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
  • Eastman Chemical Company
  • The Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation
  • Shell Exploration & Production Company
  • Wells Fargo
  • Rapp Marine

See a full list of sponsors here.

###

North Carolina Sea Grant: Your link to research and resources for a healthier coast