Scripps Oceanography to Host Fast-Paced Ocean Science Competition for High Schools

CONGRATULATIONS to La Jolla High School Team B, which will move on to compete in the NOSB National Finals, April 25-27. Team members are Sam Reineman, Michael Boland, James Giammona, Ciara Lei Kamahele, and Daniel Perez

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A dozen teams from regional high schools will converge upon UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography on Feb. 23 to prove they know the most about the coast during the annual La Jolla Surf Bowl.

Part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), this one-day regional ocean science competition will test students' knowledge of marine sciences during exciting challenges that include a fast-paced, Jeopardy-style quiz. The overall winning team will represent Southern California at the NOSB National Finals in Seward, Alaska, April 25-27, 2008.

NOSB is an educational program aimed at stimulating high school students' interest in ocean sciences and broadening public understanding of the value of ocean research. The competition offers students who have an interest in math and science national recognition for their academic excellence. NOSB aims to foster the next generation of marine scientists, educators and policymakers.

The 12 regional teams will compete in a round-robin, double-elimination format, answering questions prepared by top national researchers and educators. Students will be tested on their marine science knowledge with rapid-fire questions in biology, chemistry, geography, geology, navigation, physics and related history and literature.

Regional high schools participating in La Jolla Surf Bowl 2008:

• Carlsbad High School,    Carlsbad
• Christian High School,    El Cajon
• Dana Hills High School,    Dana Point
• Francis Parker School,    San Diego
• Helix Charter High School,    La Mesa
• Hilltop High School,    Chula Vista
• La Jolla High School,    La Jolla
• Palomar High School,    Chula Vista
• Sage Hill School,    Newport Coast
• San Ysidro High School,    San Ysidro
• Scripps Ranch High School,    San Diego
• University City High School,    San Diego

Students will be asked three types of questions during the regional competition: toss-up, bonus and team challenge. The toss-up and bonus questions are multiple choice or short answer questions. The team challenge questions give the students the chance to test critical thinking skills by analyzing real-time data and answering questions involving cutting-edge research and policy issues.

Approximately 2,000 high school students and educators from an estimated 400 U.S. high schools will compete in regional competitions in February. Scripps Oceanography, one of 25 regional sites around the country, is hosting the NOSB competition for the 11th consecutive year. Scripps graduate students, alumni and staff will participate as judges, timekeepers and science advisors.

Scripps Oceanography and Birch Aquarium at Scripps provide training and academic support for all teams competing in the La Jolla Surf Bowl. In addition to traditional studying, students participate in whale watching cruises, tours of Scripps Oceanography research facilities, tidepooling excursions and scrimmages.

Regional sponsors for La Jolla Surf Bowl 2008 include Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 24 Hour Fitness, Acorn Naturalists, Allied Media, Aquarium of the Pacific, Brockton Villa Restaurant, Cohn Restaurant Group, Compass Publications, Costco Wholesale, County of San Diego, County of San Diego Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, "E-The Environmental Magazine," Extreme Pizza, Fish Market Del Mar, Hansen Surfboards, San Diego Harbor Excursion, I Love a Clean San Diego, Images of Nature, Leave Only Bubbles, National Wildlife Federation, San Diego Natural History Museum, Nature Conservancy San Diego Office, National Marine Educators Association, OEX, Pacific Theaters, Pacific Pete Snack Co., Prana Yoga Center, REI, Ruben H. Fleet Science Center, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, San Diego Chargers, San Diego Zoo, Sea World San Diego, Sticky Bumps, Southwest Marine and Aquatic Educators' Association, Surf Diva, Surfshot Media, Inc., Reef Check, Ceramic Cafe and the UCSD Bookstore.

NOSB is managed by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that represents 95 of the leading public and private ocean research education institutions, aquaria and industry. Its mission is to advance research, education and sound ocean policy. NOSB is funded through the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, a collaboration of federal agencies, as well as by corporations, foundations and other non-governmental organizations.