[ FIELD TRIPS ] [ HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS ] [ NATIONAL OCEAN SCIENCE BOWL ] [ SUMMER CAMPS ] [ SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS ] [ FACILITIES ] [ INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL ] The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) is an academic competition for high school students that focuses on ocean-related topics. The NOSB was conceived by, and is conducted under the auspices of, the Consortium of Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE). CORE, based in Washington, D.C., is an association of U.S. oceanographic research institutions, universities, laboratories, and aquaria. CORE's 74 members represent the nucleus of U.S. research and education about the oceans. The NOSB is designed to test students' knowledge of the ocean. Every year, member institutions of CORE host regional tournaments around the nation as the first round of the NOSB. This year an estimated 2,300 students and educators representing 380 high schools competed in 22 regional competitions. Science teachers volunteered their time outside of the classroom as coaches to prepare the students for the competition. 2004 Florida Regional Ocean Sciences Bowl Teams Eau Gallie High School Team I Melbourne Eau Gallie High School Team II Melbourne Florida A&M, Environmental Sciences Institute, Team A Tallahassee Florida A&M, Environmental Sciences Institute, Team B Tallahassee Westwood High School Fort Pierce Freedom High School Orlando Freedom High School Orlando Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School Hialeah Lake Brantley High School Altamonte Springs Mandarin Senior High School Jacksonville MAST Academy, Team A Miami MAST Academy, Team B Miami Miami Beach Senior High School Miami Beach Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Team A Miami Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Team B Miami Olympic Heights High School Boca Raton Parkway Academy Miramar Seminole High School Sanford South Broward Marine Magnet, Team A Hollywood South Broward Marine Magnet, Team B Hollywood St. Lucie West Centennial, Team A Port St. Lucie St. Lucie West Centennial Team B Port St. Lucie Vero Beach High School Vero Beach 23 teams of students from around Florida competed on the Harbor Branch Campus in the Seventh Annual Florida Regional Ocean Sciences Bowl, newly christened as the "Manatee Bowl", on February 20-22, 2004. Harbor Branch and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences hosted this event. Manatee Bowl 2004 began with the teams taking tours of the Harbor Branch campus, enjoying a welcoming barbecue, and attending a mock competition and Q&A session that reviewed the rules of the competition. The actual competition was held on Saturday, February 20. Teams were divided into four divisions of six teams each for five preliminary "round-robin" rounds. Students answered multiple-choice or short-answer questions in a rapid-fire exchange within the broad scope of oceanography, as well as some longer "Team Challenge Questions". Questions were drawn from scientific and technical disciplines used in studying the oceans (biology, chemistry, physics, geology, technology) as well as from topics on the contributions of the oceans to national and international economics, history, and culture. The top eight teams advanced to the afternoon's double-elimination rounds, with one team, MAST Academy Team A from Miami, going undefeated. The final round saw Mast Academy Team A defeat their sister team, Mast Academy Team B, who came into the finals via the one-loss bracket. As this year's champion, MAST Academy Team A will represent Florida in the national finals, at Charleston, South Carolina, April 24-26, 2004. In addition to the trip, the winning team received $1,000, scholarships from Hood College Coastal Studies, a year's subscription to American Scientist, and the official Manatee 2004 mascot for good luck at the national finals. Miami Palmetto Senior High School was the third place team and Miami Beach Senior High School won fourth place. In addition to plaques, each of the top four teams received a collection of textbooks in various marine science disciplines and tickets to Sea World Florida. Following the award ceremony, there was dinner and a special presentation by Harbor Branch Scientist John Reed on Florida's Deep Sea Coral Reefs -- National Treasures in Peril. On Sunday morning, several teams participated in local field trips to nearby Indian River Lagoon. This year's event was a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers interested in marine science to demonstrate their enthusiasm for and knowledge of marine sciences. It was generally agreed that everyone had a fun and productive time. CLICK HERE to view our PHOTO GALLERY of this year's competition at Harbor Branch. If you want to know more about the NOSB, including information on winners of other regional competitions, go to the NOSB website at http://www.nosb.org or visit the CORE website at http://www.coreocean.org. If you want to receive information about the 2005 Florida regional competition when available, contact education@hboi.edu.