National Ocean Sciences Bowl

🎓 Meet the 2026 National Ocean Scholars! These five outstanding students participated in the NOSB throughout high school and are now heading to college to pursue careers in ocean and environmental science. Their passion, dedication, and drive to make a difference are truly inspiring.

Thanks to the ongoing support of our NOSB community, as well as our regional coordinator, Lori Tsuruda with People Making a Difference (PMD), we were able to award scholarships to help launch their next chapter. 💙

Read their stories at nosb.org/2026-scholars/

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), we want to take a moment to acknowledge our incredible NOSB volunteers! This year, 748 volunteers supported 15 regional competitions across the U.S., ensuring 176 teams of high school students had the opportunity to showcase their ocean science knowledge. Our NOSB volunteers do a lot to make this program happen. From writing and reviewing competition questions to serving as competition officials, volunteers are a keystone species in the NOSB ecosystem. Please join us in saying THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

Photos clockwise from top left:
📸 2026 Blue Crab Bowl hosted by Virginia Institute of Marine Science (credit VIMS Communications, Marketing, and Public Engagement Social Media Specialist Candace Johnson).
📸 2026 Salmon Bowl hosted by College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences - Oregon State University.
📸 2026 Spoonbill Bowl hosted by University of South Florida College of Marine Science.
📸 2026 Blue Lobster Bowl hosted by MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and People Making a Difference (PMD).
📸 2026 Tsunami Bowl hosted by UAF College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences (credit Victoria Provenza Volunteer Moderator).
📸 2026 Spoonbill Bowl hosted by University of South Florida College of Marine Science.

🎓 Attention NOSB Graduating Seniors - Apply to the National Ocean Scholar Program by May 31! This scholarship program provides $1,000 in tuition assistance for NOSB students who have an interest in pursuing an ocean or environmental science major in their first year of post-high school education. Funds can be spent on college-related costs including tuition, fees, textbooks, a laptop or tablet, or transportation (parking or bus fare).

Eligible students are required to complete a simple Google Form application with the following:

✅ TWO essays (1000 words or less total)
✅ TWO letters of recommendation
✅ ONE piece of media, with a written description (250 words or less), that highlights your experience with the NOSB
✅ Proof of admission to an institution of higher learning

Learn more and apply by May 31 at:

Scholarships Scholarships As part of the NOSB’s continuing effort to recognize individual achievement, the Center for Ocean Leadership offers the National Ocean Scholar Program. This scholarship program provides tuition assistance (up to $1,000) for NOSB students who have an interest in pursuing an ocean or en...

The NOSB needs YOUR help to share our impact and secure our future. Our students, coaches, volunteers, and partners know first-hand how this program fosters stewardship and builds the next generation of ocean leaders. So we’ve created a Communications Toolkit to help our participants become our best ambassadors with ten adaptable resources designed to garner support and awareness for your team, regional bowl, and the national program at a time when it is truly needed most.

🧰 Learn more, including one way you can help immediately, at www.nosb.org/communication-resources.

📸 2026 Blue Crab Bowl by VIMS Communications, Marketing & Public Engagement Social Media Specialist Candace Johnson

Get to high ground, this team is making waves! Congratulations to the Tsunami Bowl winning team from Juneau-Douglas High School in Juneau, AK! 🏆 Pictured (L to R): Grace P., Gabriel A., Samuel L., Adeline R., and Madeleine B. Not pictured: Coaches Shannon Easterly and Shelby Nesheim. This team showcased their skills in teamwork, ocean knowledge, and buzz-in power to chart a direct course to the top of the leaderboard.

The 2026 Tsunami Bowl was hosted in person by UAF College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences and Alaska SeaLife Center on March 27-29. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a program of the Center for Ocean Leadership NSF NCAR & UCAR, is a nationwide high school academic competition that expands ocean science education, prepares students for STEM careers, and fosters environmental stewardship. Thank you to all the amazing teams who participated this year!

Meet all the winning teams ➡️ www.nosb.org/2026-regional-bowl-winning-teams

📸: Shannon Easterly

Whoa, what a fun blast from the past on this throwback Thursday! Thanks for sharing Tsunami Bowl.

Throwback to where it all began…

In March 1998, students from East High School took home the regional title at Alaska’s Ocean Sciences Bowl—hosted right here in Seward at the (then brand new!) Alaska SeaLife Center.

📰 “Science of the 7 seas”
📰 “East High wins contest”

Nearly three decades later, the Alaska Tsunami Bowl is still going strong—bringing together students from across the state to compete, collaborate, and dive deep into ocean science.

From those early quiz rounds to today’s incredible teams, passionate coaches, and dedicated volunteers… this program has always been about inspiring the next generation of ocean leaders.

Huge shoutout to the students, educators, and partners—past and present—who’ve made this event what it is today.

Tagging those who’ve been part of the journey:
Davis East Anchorage High School
SeaLife Center
Sea Grant
College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
of Alaska Fairbanks
Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB)

They squeezed out a win with a perfect pore-formance! Congratulations to the Virtual Sponge Bowl winning team from University High School in Irvine, CA! 🏆 Pictured (clockwise from top left): Nethra I., Coach Ruby-Ann Lopez, Matthew F., Avery H., Joanne C., and Team Captain Angelina Y. Not pictured: Coach David Knight. This team showcased their skills in teamwork, ocean knowledge, and buzz-in power to chart a direct course to the top of the leaderboard.

The 2026 Virtual Sponge Bowl was hosted virtually by People Making a Difference (PMD) on March 21 and 22 and is a unique regional competition that “absorbs” students from across the country who do not have an in-person competition happening near them. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a program of the Center for Ocean Leadership NSF NCAR & UCAR, is a nationwide high school academic competition that expands ocean science education, prepares students for STEM careers, and fosters environmental stewardship. Thank you to all the amazing teams who participated this year!

Meet all the winning teams ➡️ www.nosb.org/2026-regional-bowl-winning-teams

📸: Virtual Sponge Bowl

They defended their title like a damselfish defends its home turf! Congratulations to the Garibaldi Bowl winning team from Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, CA! 🏆 Pictured (L to R): Ishank K., Andrea D., Jennifer C., and Amy Z. Not pictured: Coach Xiangdong Chen. This team showcased their skills in teamwork, ocean knowledge, and buzz-in power to chart a direct course to the top of the leaderboard.

The 2026 Garibaldi Bowl was hosted in person by the University of San Diego: College of Arts and Sciences Department of Environmental and Ocean Sciences on March 7. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a program of the Center for Ocean Leadership NSF NCAR & UCAR, is a nationwide high school academic competition that expands ocean science education, prepares students for STEM careers, and fosters environmental stewardship. Thank you to all the amazing teams who participated this year!

Meet all the winning teams ➡️ www.nosb.org/2026-regional-bowl-winning-teams

📸: Garibaldi Bowl