Inspiring Tomorrow’s Ocean Leaders
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Ocean Leaders
Regional Coordinators
Volunteers
The NOSB is an academic competition and program that addresses a national gap in environmental and earth sciences in public education by introducing high school students to and engaging them in ocean science, preparing them for ocean science-related and other STEM careers, and helping them become knowledgeable community members and environmental stewards.
2025-2026 Competition Year Information
Regional NOSB competitions are held at universities, research institutions, laboratories, science centers, and aquaria across the country. Each year, up to 2,000 students from 350 schools and 1,500 volunteers participate in the program. Use the map to find details, such as the competition date, location, and regional coordinator’s contact information, for your closest regional competition. Contact the regional coordinator or visit their provided website to find out how to participate.
2026 Program Update
We’re actively updating this page as regional coordinators confirm their plans. Unfortunately, due to challenges at both the national and regional levels, some regional competitions may not be held this year. At this time, a national Finals competition is also unlikely. If a Finals does take place, it will be held virtually.
Please know that NOSB staff and regional coordinators care deeply about providing opportunities for students, and the decision not to hold a competition is never made lightly. To ensure teams without a nearby regional event can still participate, we’ll once again be hosting the Virtual Sponge Bowl.
Check back here regularly for updates, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay connected and receive the latest program information.
- Regional Bowls
- States Hosting Regional Bowls
- States with Regional Bowl Participants in the Last Year
Find your local competition!
All states are eligible to compete. Contact us to learn more.
Introducing the 2025 NOSB National Champions: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
The Center for Ocean Leadership (COL) is thrilled to announce the winners of the highly anticipated 2025 virtual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) Finals Competition, which took place this past weekend in an exciting display of ocean science knowledge, teamwork, and passion for our blue planet. An interdisciplinary ocean science education program of COL, the NOSB has tested students’ knowledge of ocean-related topics through buzzer-style multiple choice and longer, critical thinking-based questions for 27 years.
Get The Latest NOSB News!
25th National Ocean Sciences Bowl Finals: Regional Winners Announced!
Congratulations to the winning schools from each of the regional competitions! They will be moving on to the 2022 NOSB Finals Competition held virtually [...]
2022 NOSB Finals
The Consortium for Ocean Leadership and National Ocean Sciences Bowl staff have made the decision to hold the 2022 national Finals competition virtually this May.
2022 Professional Development Webinars: Dr. Sean Hayes
As climate change begins to have influences on the physical processes of the ocean there will be a variety of responses by most marine taxa. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for managing many if not most of these species in US waters. The presentation will highlight some general principles that can be expected, and then dive a little deeper into some case studies from several of NOAA’ Species in the Spotlight including seals, salmon, whales and more.
2022 Professional Development Webinars: Dr. Andrea Copping & Dorian Overhus
As we combat climate change, marine renewable energy (MRE) has the potential to play an important role. However, we need to understand the impact tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy devices may have on marine animals and the environment in order to deploy MRE devices in a responsible manner. This webinar will cover the importance of MRE and how it relates to climate change, what is known about environmental interactions, and next steps for the industry.
