Competition
National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB)
Center for Ocean Leadership, a University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Community Program
Recognition
Top eight Finals teams receive prizes ranging from textbooks to gift certificates; first- and second-place teams receive experiential summer award trips for hands-on marine science field/lab work (past trips included Hawaii, California, Florida, Costa Rica, Panama, and Monaco).
Deadline
See sponsor site
Not yet published; confirm on sponsor site
The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is a team-based academic competition, run by the Center for Ocean Leadership (a UCAR community program), that tests U.S. high school students' knowledge of ocean sciences through regional bowls that feed into a national Finals event.
Eligibility
- Grade levels
- High school freshman, High school sophomore, High school junior, High school senior
- Fields of study
- Environmental science, Natural sciences, Science
Special eligibility to verify
- Compete via a school-based team through a regional bowl: Students must form a school-affiliated team (4-5 students plus a coach) and register through their nearest regional bowl coordinator; NOSB has no direct individual-application pathway.
- Win regional bowl to advance to national Finals: Only the top team from each of NOSB's roughly 25 regional bowls qualifies to compete at the national Finals competition; regional bowls are held February-March, with Finals in May.
Application requirements
- Assemble a school-affiliated team of 4-5 currently enrolled high school students (grades 9-12) plus one coach: Per official rules, teams need a minimum of four student members and one coach (five recommended, including an alternate); rosters must remain static once competition begins.
- Contact your nearest regional bowl coordinator to register your team: Prospective teams check NOSB's regional competition map to find and contact the coordinator for their region, who confirms openings and local details.
- Compete in your regional bowl (typically held February-March)
- Top team from each regional bowl advances to the national Finals competition in May: The national Finals is a three-day event held annually at a rotating university/research host location.
Verified Jul 8, 2026 · View official source