Why does this type of competition exist?

This competition is intended to increase knowledge of the oceans on the part of high school students, their teachers and parents, as well as to raise the visibility and public understanding of the national investment in ocean-related research. Specific objectives of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl are to:

• Broaden students' and teachers' awareness of the latest scientific research on the oceans and the critical impact of the oceans on global climate and weather, economic well-being, history and culture;


• Help teachers use the oceans as an interdisciplinary vehicle for teaching biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and mathematics by giving them access to marine science education and scientific professionals;


• Give oceanographic research programs the opportunity to develop new links with their local pre-college community and open student’s eyes to ocean-related career options; and


• Reach out to new students and communities to boost participation by populations under-represented in the ocean sciences.

A formal evaluation of the program was conducted by Howard Walters, Ed.D., Ashland University, and Kristina Bishop, Ed.D., The College of Exploration, during 2002-2004. The evaluation indicates the NOSB program has had a significant positive impact on marine science education at the high school level and has increased awareness of marine science careers.