The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), supported by the Office of Naval Research, hosts annual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) Leader Challenges on Scoutlier, a free online learning platform for educators. These challenges allow high school students to learn from ocean science experts, tackle real-world problems, and compete for prizes. This year’s challenge focuses on ocean acoustics, exploring the study of sound in the marine environment through the integration of art and science. Students will use the acronym WAVES to guide their exploration of data science, sound, and ocean sciences, creating artistic representations of oceanic phenomena that highlight the importance of data in understanding and protecting our oceans.
The challenge includes lesson guides for teachers and students, suitable for both classroom and independent use. Students have the option to submit a final product, which includes a presentation showcasing their artwork and a short video explaining their creative process, for scoring by the NOSB. The top three submissions will receive Amazon gift cards, with a bonus award for the best description of the artwork’s accessibility for all audiences. For more details about the challenge and how to utilize the resources, view the NOSB STEAM Leader Challenge: WAVES Introduction slides.
Challenge resources are available now on Scoutlier and the official submission period for final products is from February 1, 2025, to February 28, 2025. Please complete the Ocean Acoustics STEAM Leader Challenge (WAVES) Interest Form to receive updates about the challenge and notifications when the submission process opens*.
Additional resources on ocean acoustics are available on the Ocean Acoustics Theme Resource Page to support learning.
*Please note, by completing the interest form you are also agreeing to be contacted by the NOSB staff with a quick survey in regards to your use of the challenge with your students. While voluntary, we do hope you will help us learn about how you used the challenge and the impact it had on both you and your students. Any questions can be emailed to nosb@ucar.edu.
