EDITORS: For further information, contact Carole Fletcher, NOSB coordinator, at (734) 741-2370.

ANN ARBOR—Eleven teams of high school students will compete in the third Midwest Regional Competition for the National Oceans Science Bowl (NOSB) on Saturday (Feb. 26) at the University of Michigan. The winning team will advance to the national final competition in mid-April.

An estimated 1,400 students representing 275 high schools will complete in 20 regional competitions throughout February. Science teachers volunteer their time outside of the classroom to prepare the students in the subjects of biology, chemistry, geology, physics of the oceans, as well as navigation, geography and related history and literature. Student teams practice for the competition months in advance.

Ten high schools from across Michigan will be represented by 11 teams: Berrien County Math & Science Center, Berrien Springs; Birmingham Groves High School; Dexter High School. (first year champions); Huron High School, Ann Arbor (second year champions, placed ninth out of 18 in the national competition); Kalamazoo Central High School; Mecosta-Osceola Math & Science Center, Big Rapids; Port Hope High School (two teams); Sankore Marine Immersion High School, Detroit; Sterling Heights High School; and Washtenaw Technical Middle College, Ann Arbor.

The local event is co-hosted by the U-M’s Office of the Vice President for Research, the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in the College of Engineering, the Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan; the Great Lakes Science Center; Michigan Sea Grant College Program, and the Cooperative Institute for Limnology & Ecosystems Research at U-M.

The top four teams will share prizes ranging from $500 to $125, in addition to a plaque. However, no one leaves the competition without recognition—those students not participating in the final round will be awarded medals and certificates. The coaches who devote time outside of the classroom are also to be commended for helping prepare the students for the competition. Rep. Lynn Rivers of Ann Arbor presented awards to the winning teams for the last two years and has been invited again this year.

Several local businesses have donated either gift certificates, reduced rates, or food for the event—Holiday Inn, North Campus, Nicola Books-The Little Professor Book Store, Steve & Barry’s University Sports Wear, and the Bagel Factory.

The Ocean Bowl was developed to stimulate interest among high school students in the ocean sciences and highlight the importance of the Great Lakes and oceans in our daily lives. One of the long-term goals of the program is to foster the next generation of Great Lakes and marine scientists, educators and policy makers.

So why is a green sea turtle called green if it’s actually mottled brown? The turtle’s fat deposits are green.

National Oceans Science BowlOffice of the Vice President for Research