NOSB Finals Sportsmanship Award Winners Take on Boulder

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), an education program of the Center for Ocean Leadership at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), inspires the next generation of ocean leaders through a nationwide quiz-bowl-style academic competition for high school students. Teams of four to five students and their coach compete at regional bowls hosted by partner institutions across the country for the opportunity to attend the National Finals. This year, a standout team from Tacoma, Washington, earned the prestigious James D. Watkins Sportsmanship Award, and with it, a field trip to the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), managed by UCAR, from July 21-23, 2025. The award honors Admiral James D. Watkins, who founded the NOSB in 1998 and was a champion for ocean science and education.

The team from Tacoma School of the Arts, coached by their marine biology teacher Megan Jacobsen, a NOSB alum, included students Jasper Pearce, Casper “Cas” Hagerstrom, Micah Larson, and Ian Sukys. After placing first at their regional competition, the Orca Bowl, hosted by the University of Washington, the team advanced to the National Finals. They entered the elimination rounds in last place but made an impressive comeback to secure their spot at the national level in only their second year of competing. They encountered several barriers to participating in the Virtual National Finals, held in May, but with help from the NOSB National Office and a little creative problem-solving, the team was able to fully engage in the event. Their goal was to have fun and learn something new. While they didn’t place in the top eight, their attitude, teamwork, and respect for fellow competitors and volunteers earned them the admiration of many. One volunteer noted, “They were confident they weren’t going to win against the competition but [were] having fun anyway.”

Their award trip, sponsored by the Friends of the National Center, included an immersive tour of NCAR, UCAR, and parts of the surrounding Boulder area. In just two and a half days, the team visited the High Altitude Observatory, the Mesa Lab and its Exploring Water Through Art exhibit, and the Research Aviation Facility. They learned about exhibit design, data visualization, and engineering in the face of stronger hurricanes. The students also had the opportunity to meet with UCAR President Tony Busalacchi and the Oceanography Section of the Climate and Global Dynamics Lab. The group spent time in the field at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, part of Boulder Open Space, on a trip led by volunteer naturalist and former NCAR scientist Peter Gent. They identified birds, dissected cattails, and discussed ocean and climate modeling. Before heading to the airport, they squeezed in one last stop at the nearby Butterfly Pavilion, where they encountered fascinating arthropods and learned about the biomedical value of horseshoe crab blood (a familiar topic in NOSB competitions).

The NOSB experience extends far beyond academic competition. It offers students opportunities to explore real-world science, connect with professionals in the field, and build a deeper understanding of the ocean and its many connections to our world. Thank you to everyone at UCAR, NCAR, and in the Boulder community who made this trip such a meaningful and memorable experience for a truly deserving team!

Special thanks to:
Peter Gent (Boulder Open Space), Katie Wolfson, Elizabeth Mays, and Emily Snode-Brenneman (Center for Science Education), the Oceanography Section (Climate and Global Dynamics Lab), Matt Rehme (Computational and Information Systems Lab), Dan Wick and Aaron Gunlock (Earth Observing Laboratory’s Research Aviation Facility), Emma Byers (Friends of the National Center), Kendall Kippley (Friends Community Art Program), Scott Sewell (High Altitude Observatory), and UCAR President Tony Busalacchi.