February 10, 1999
Contact: Tim Stephens or Lisa Borok (831) 459-2495

UCSC will host No. California Ocean Sciences Bowl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, CA--The Northern California Ocean Sciences Bowl returns to UC Santa Cruz this month, with 16 teams from 13 high schools brandishing their knowledge of marine sciences in a fast-paced academic competition. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in UCSC's Earth and Marine Sciences Building on Saturday, February 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UCSC is one of 18 sites across the country hosting regional competitions as part of the second annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl. The regional winners will travel to Washington, D.C., in April to compete in the national finals. Winners at both the regional and national events will receive prizes such as scholarships, research cruises aboard oceanographic vessels, behind-the-scenes tours of aquaria and research facilities, and computer equipment and laboratory supplies for their schools.

The competition is meant to broaden the awareness and understanding of the critical value of ocean research among high school students, educators, parents, and the public, said Lisa Borok, project coordinator for the Northern California regional competition. The event also helps high school students interested in ocean studies to learn more about possible careers in oceanography and marine sciences, Borok said.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to excite and encourage high school students interested in ocean sciences and bring them into personal contact with marine scientists from UCSC and other Monterey Bay institutions," said Gary Griggs, director of UCSC's Institute of Marine Sciences. Griggs and biologist Lynda Goff, associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education, will be the keynote speakers at this year's event.

Last year, a team from Aptos High School in Santa Cruz County won the Northern California competition and placed fourth overall in the national finals. Teacher Greg McBride, who coached the team, said enrollment in his oceanography class doubled after his team's strong showing last year. He is returning to the competition this year with two teams from Aptos High.

Each team consists of four students plus one alternate and a coach. The format of the competition is similar to the game show "Jeopardy," with students competing to answer multiple-choice or short-answer questions within the broad category of the oceans. Questions are drawn from the scientific and technical disciplines used in studying the oceans, such as biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and atmospheric science. Other questions will address the role of the oceans in economics, history, and culture.

The judges, scorekeepers, and other officials at the event will be faculty, researchers, marine managers, and others from numerous regional institutions, including UCSC, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, U.S. Geological Survey, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California State Parks, and Long Marine Laboratory.

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl was started in 1998 by the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE) in honor of the International Year of the Ocean. This year, CORE is sponsoring the event in partnership with the National Marine Educators Association and the National Science Teachers Association. The Northern California competition is sponsored by CORE, the UCSC Office of Admissions, the Institute of Marine Sciences, Friends of Long Marine Lab, and University of Southern California Sea Grant.

The following schools will be represented in the Northern California Ocean Sciences Bowl: Aptos High School (Santa Cruz County) DeLaSalle High School (Contra Costa County) Half Moon Bay High School (San Mateo County) Independent Learning Center (Yolo County) Las Flores High School Independent Study (Sacramento County) Mission San Jose High School (Alameda County) Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Sciences (Monterey County) Oakdale High School (Stanislaus County) Salinas High School (Monterey County) San Lorenzo Valley High School (Santa Cruz County) Selma High School (Fresno County) Sierra High School (Fresno County) Watsonville High School (Santa Cruz County)

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Editor's note: Additional information about the Northern California Ocean Sciences Bowl is available on the World Wide Web at http://admissions.ucsc.edu/nosb/.

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