Blue Crab Bowl

The Virginia Regional Competition

of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®) showcases some of the Commonweath's most talented science students as they display their mastery of oceanic knowledge.  In February of each year, teams from 16 high schools compete in a contest co-hosted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Old Dominion University.  The winning team goes on to represent Virginia at the National finals where they face teams from 24 other regions. 


INVITATION TO TEAMS!
The invitation for the Blue Crab Bowl 2009 will open in September 2008. Review the updated 2009 dates and deadlines.

Competition teams consist of five high school students (four competitors and one alternate) and an adult coach.  Who is eligible to participate?  The Blue Crab Bowl coaching and student participation guidelines describe team composition and coach affiliation. 

Sixteen teams will be selected by lottery from all teams who have submitted a Statement of Intent form by November 10, 2008.  Teams must be registered by their Coach of Record.  Questions? Check out

the Coaches & Students page or contact the 2009 Blue Crab Bowl Teams Coordinator. 

Teams Go Head-to-Head
In this academic competition, students answer multiple-choice, short-answer, and long-answer analytical questions drawn from scientific and technical ocean science disciplines. Topics covered include biology, chemistry, physics, geology, as well as maritime history and current events.  Bowl officials and judges manage the matches and rule on answer acceptibility.

Competition rules and details, practice questions, recommended resources and tips on how to prepare are available on the NOSB® website at www.nosb.org.   For Virginia Regional Competition details, go to the "More Information" tab and select "For Teams."  Blue Crab Bowl documents are available in .pdf format.  For an overview of the Blue Crab Bowl, check out the Game in a Crab Shell summary. 

Competitors Win Prizes
Students and coaches are awarded exciting prizes at both the regional and the national bowls.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteer recruitment for Blue Crab Bowl 2009 will begin in Fall 2008. 

Volunteers make the Blue Crab Bowl possible.  Bowl officials and judges are faculty, researchers, graduate students and staff from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Old Dominion University, as well as their colleague institutions and agencies.  It takes more than 70 volunteers to make this event the success it is each year.  Join us and inspire the next generation of marine scientists!