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

Congratulations to La Jolla High School - Team A, winners of the 2010 La Jolla Surf Bowl.
Good luck at the finals at the University of South Florida April 23-25, 2010.

More than a dozen teams from regional high schools will converge upon UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography on March 6 to prove they know the most about the coast during the 13th 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 winning team will qualify to compete in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl finals at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, Fla., April 23-25, 2010.

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 13 regional high schools 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, physics and technology. The final round will take place at Sumner Auditorium on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus.

Regional high schools participating in La Jolla Surf Bowl 2010:

- Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad, CA
- Christian High School, El Cajon, CA
- Dana Hills High School, Dana Point, CA
- Escondido Charter High School, Escondido, CA
- Hilltop High School, Chula Vista, CA
- La Jolla High School, La Jolla, CA
- Mar Vista High School, Imperial Beach, CA
- Mount Miguel High School, Spring Valley, CA
- Palomar High School, San Diego, CA
- Patrick Henry High School, San Diego, CA
- Scripps Ranch High School, San Diego, CA
- Tesoro High School, Las Flores, CA
- University City High School, San Diego, CA

Students will be asked three types of questions during the regional competition: toss-up, bonus and team challenge. The toss-up questions are multiple choice questions only, whereas bonus questions can also be 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 300 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 13th 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, a field trip to the Scripps Coastal Reserve and scrimmages.

Regional sponsors for the La Jolla Surf Bowl 2010 include Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Museum of Natural History, San Diego Air and Space Museum, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Papa John's Pizza, Extreme Pizza, Chipotle, REI San Diego, Merlin Entertainment, La Jolla Symphony, San Diego Harbor Excursion, Sea World San Diego, Aquarium of the Pacific, OEX La Jolla, Ocean Institute, Ceramicafe, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, San Diego Coastkeeper, Southwest Marine and Aquatic Educators Association, Starbucks Coffee, National Marine Educators Association, City of San Diego Water Conservation Program, Whale Tail Chips, La Jolla Playhouse, Rubios La Jolla and Vons.

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.

For more information about NOSB, visit www.nosb.org.