Testimonials

Stories of Impact from NOSB Alums

I grew up in rural New Hampshire with two older sisters, both of whom competed at the local (Nor’Easter) and national level on our high school’s NOSB team. Despite living multiple hours from the seacoast, my sisters fiercely studied for our annual Bowl, with our parents buying Sverdrup’s textbooks and the three of us jointly making literally hundreds of index cards with example questions. We spent whole summers quizzing each other on ocean science. By the time I started high school, I knew the ins-and-outs of pycnoclines and shallow water waves! 

I later led my school’s team to two national-level competitions and was inspired at one of these competitions to pursue scientific research as a career. I am writing to you now as a PhD student at Columbia University, where I study motor neuron changes in the context of Lou Gehrig’s disease. I can confidently draw a line from my first after-school Ocean Bowl practice to my current position in scientific research and I am sure that – in addition to the many stories of former NOSB students becoming marine biologists and ecologists – my story of ocean-science-to-medical-science is one of many. 

I am, like you, saddened and frustrated by the funding cuts to science broadly, especially to great programs like NOSB. I will be reaching out to my former NOSB teammates to encourage them to send in their stories as well. If I can be of any help in terms of testimony or volunteering, please let me know.

Michael Zrzavy, PhD Student at Columbia University

I am an oceanographic professional whose trajectory onto this path started with NOSB. I was recruited to join my high school’s NOSB team for the inaugural Bay Scallop Bowl (NY) in 2002. We won and repeated in 2003. Prior to my experience with NOSB I was planning on studying astrophysics at university, but the positive experiences I had as part of the Regional and National NOSB competitions in 2002/2003 convinced me to pursue marine science and chemistry degrees from the University of Miami. I got my B.S. in 2007 and continued there for my PhD in Chemical Oceanography from RSMAS/University of Miami graduating in 2012. After a postdoc at UC-Irvine and Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, I am now a tenured associate professor of Chemical Oceanography and Associate Director of the Ocean Process Analysis Laboratory (a research center) here at the University of New Hampshire.

Robert T. Letscher, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemical Oceanography, Earth Sciences & Asst. Director, Ocean Process Analysis Laboratory, Graduate Oceanography Program Coordinator, University of New Hampshire

My name is Michelle So, and I am a sophomore at Yale University. I joined Arcadia High School’s (Arcadia, CA) Ocean Science Bowl team when I was a freshman, in a time when school was exclusively on Zoom. My earliest memories of meetings involved upperclassmen (whom I’d never seen and never would meet in-person) donning Zoom backgrounds of strange jellyfish and submarines. We shared jokes over silly buzzer rounds and studied over calls the night before virtual competitions. 

OSB encouraged me to dive deeper into a broad range of oceanographic topics and learn concepts and ideas I never would have explored on my own. I found a community of friends who were just as excited about the mysteries of the ocean and all it had to offer. (I even wrote a “Thank you” article for the OSB advisor’s pet snake, Snek.)

Despite no “official” regional competition, I was also able to visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where I was able to see satellite technology, compete in low-stakes competitions, and go home feeling inspired by the scientists I’d met and giddy with a goody-bag filled with ocean-themed swag (“The Science of the Ocean: The Secret of the Seas Revealed” still remains one of my favorite illustrated marine encyclopedias to this day.)

I may not have dived to the sea floor like Sylvia Earle or written over a dozen environmental books like Rachel Carson, but I do know that the oceans are the largest habitat on Earth, and young teens are some of the most curious people on the planet. Without funding for science education initiatives or organizations like NOSB, students with an inkling of curiosity about the sea will never get the chance to experience the community or educational resources I was lucky enough to have.

Michelle So, Sophomore at Yale University

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl played a pivotal role in my journey as I studied marine science and explored how to apply it in the real world. I participated in NOSB throughout high school, received a scholarship to pursue my marine science degree, and continued volunteering while at OSU. The program showed me what genuine passion, collaboration, and curiosity in the STEM community look like, from the students participating to those who helped organize it. That experience was a big part of the framework for what I’ve done since, including founding Shifting Tides, where I lead interactive workshops on the Oregon Coast focused on marine science and sustainable fisheries. I strive to bring that same spirit of discovery and connection to others in a way that’s both fun and engaging. NOSB surrounded me with a community of like-minded people working together to better understand our world.

Alanna Kieffer, Founder, Shifting Tides

I competed in NOSB all four years of high school, and the memories that I made practicing and competing with my team remain some of my favorites from that time. The learning opportunities NOSB provided opened my eyes to the wide range of career paths within ocean sciences and changed the trajectory of my planned career. Because of the high level of knowledge required to compete both regionally and nationally, I went into my college ocean sciences classes with a strong foundation, giving me a head start and making the transition to college much easier. Beyond the knowledge I gained through competing in NOSB, I built leadership skills as my team’s captain, improved my public speaking abilities, and had the chance to network with like-minded peers and professionals. NOSB continues to play an important role in my life today, as I look forward to volunteering at my local competition every year. I love to see the same excitement and passion in the students that I once felt as a competitor. Overall, NOSB has had a huge impact on my life and the lives of many others that I know. It is an immensely valuable program that deserves continued support for the next generation of marine scientists and policy makers.

Genevieve Coblentz-Strong, Development Engineer, Innovation Lab, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University

Participant Quotes

Anonymous quotes from internal post-regional bowl surveys and the 2024-2025 NOSB Programmatic Needs Assessment Report led by an external evaluator.

“Being able to interact with the rules judges, the science judges, runners, and moderators was so fun. Most, not all, were so welcoming and made the competition feel less stressful. On top of that when they talk about their own paths you get to know where they obtained all this information and humor. I love being able to interact with them like humans…makes it feel more enjoyable. Plus what their paths are gives one more insight on what to do in their future.”

“Participating in the NOSB helped me decide what I wanted to do specifically as a career choice in marine biology. Before the NOSB I was unsure what career I wanted to pursue in college, I knew I wanted a marine science based career but I was unaware of the multitudes of careers that included. NOSB helped me narrow it down to my dream job!”

“The NOSB showed me that there are many categories to marine science and therefore many career choices in ocean science. Wave physics and ocean chemistry were two new subjects to me that were really interesting, and I know I definitely want to go to a marine biology major post high school.”

“I didn’t realize how much I loved science until I participated in NOSB. Having ADHD, I didn’t know that I could focus for that long on something very ‘fact’ heavy. But through NOSB, I realized how much I enjoy science.”

“I had a few friends on the team that encouraged me to join NOSB this year, and I decided to participate because I wanted to learn more about oceanography and have participated in similar competitions (Science Bowl) in the past.”

“I have a love for marine science/marine biology/oceanography and I plan on making it my future career; I thought this would be a cool, fun experience that also allows me for academic improvement.”

Anonymous quotes from internal post-regional bowl surveys and the 2024-2025 NOSB Programmatic Needs Assessment Report led by an external evaluator.

“Kids in NOSB get excited to take higher level marine science courses at my high school.”

“Well I’m one of those coaches that isn’t actually a teacher, but my teaching is 100% influenced by the students in our program. We are constantly evolving to meet our students where they are to help them succeed as much as possible.”

“I am able to bring Ocean Bowl material into my classroom and also the Ocean Bowl reinforces our classroom lessons and encourages students to go even further into the topics that interest them the most.”

“Physics concepts are highly relatable to oceanography…..oceanography really hits on ALL the science fields.”

“I love giving them something to do after school other than sports, plus I really enjoy trivia. Science is my passion so sharing knowledge with enthused students is really enjoyable. The oceans need appreciation!”

“I started volunteering with NOSB as a graduate student. I love NOSB. Now that I have a child in high school, I started a team at his school.”

“I want my students to experience having fun with science outside of the regular classroom.”

Anonymous quotes from internal post-regional bowl surveys and the 2024-2025 NOSB Programmatic Needs Assessment Report led by an external evaluator.

“This competition makes me more hopeful for the employees of the future”

“It’s a great inspiration to do more educational outreach from our company.”

“I am amazed at the knowledge the students have and it encourages me.”

“Inspiring future scientists who could become colleagues and/or take over for me some day.”

“The bowl counts as service toward my current employer, which is reviewed in my performance reviews and is a consideration for promotion.”

“It has actually been a crucial part of my life. I was involved in NOSB in High School for all 4 years. We never went to Nationals, but I did apply (and get) the NOSB Summer Internship that was done with SCA at the time (Summer of 2007 in Redwood National park), and that experience has influenced my life ever since. I humbly wish this was something NOSB/SCA did and offered, because I think it was a wonderful opportunity for kids, like me who live in the Midwest miles away from an Ocean, to actually get an opportunity to get experience in Marine Biology where they may not have had the opportunity otherwise.”

“My involvement with my regional bowl is just one of many outreach activities I participate in, but collectively they affirm my passion for getting younger generations excited about ocean science!”

“Participating in the bowl allows me to see the impact a Marine Science education in high school can have on future career paths of students. This encourages me to extend mentoring/volunteer opportunities to these students to ensure they are able to participate in research at a younger age.”

“I have heard from many that volunteering for this event has helped when employers have asked about the details of their volunteering”

“Excellent professional development and networking opportunity! Even though I’ve slightly moved away from marine science, this is a great opportunity to stay connected with the regional community.”

“I think it gave me a new sense of gratitude for marine science education. Although I still do not want to continue in that field, seeing high schoolers excited about marine science was very hopeful and heartwarming.”

“I enjoy getting a chance to learn more about all different aspects of marine science and see the high school students get excited about this field!”

“I hope that the bowls continue. My first one was the first one in Alaska in 1998. I’ve missed a few but believe they are a wonderful thing. The students & coaches are dedicated and truly work and study hard to do their best. Our Alaskan coordinators have always done an excellent job of making sure everyone has a good time and is supported in every way. They work diligently to make sure that there are sponsors.”

“NOSB is a treasure that allows students to learn and take the role of stewards for the oceans and Great Lakes more to heart.”

This kind of impact would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors and donors. Interested in supporting the National Ocean Sciences Bowl? Explore our Sponsorship Opportunities page for more information, or visit our Donation page to make an individual contribution.