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BILOXI
– Nineteen
high school teams from Mississippi and surrounding states will converge
on The University of Southern Mississippi's Scott Aquarium here
next weekend, Feb. 21-22, to test their knowledge in the annual
Hurricane Bowl – the regional edition of the National Ocean
Sciences Bowl.
Student teams
compete in a rapid-fire, question-and-answer format on a wide scope
of ocean topics: biology, chemistry, geology, physics, history,
economics, navigation, geography, technology and current events.
Added this year are team challenge questions that require the team
members to combine their analytical skills to answer questions based
on real- or near-real-time data streams, as well as current research
issues and policy.
The Hurricane
Bowl is the central Gulf of Mexico's preliminary competition for
the National Ocean Sciences Bowl finals in La Jolla, Calif., April
25-28.
Each team includes
four students, one alternate and a coach. Teams will register and
participate in opening ceremonies Friday from 4-8 p.m. On the agenda
for Saturday are round-robin and double-elimination tournaments
followed by a closing awards ceremony.
Scott Aquarium
organizers said a need exists for additional volunteers, especially
with some technical training. The volunteer wish list includes scientific
judges, rules judges, score keepers, time keepers and moderators.
"We need
more scientific judges this year because of the addition of the
team challenge questions," said co-coordinator Becky Espey,
noting individuals interested in volunteering should contact the
aquarium for information on a brief training session.
To volunteer,
contact Espey or Willie Heard at 374-5550.
Mississippi
Gulf Coast high schools registered to compete are Long Beach and
Ocean Springs, both with two teams. Also registered from Mississippi
are Poplarville High School, Pearl River Central High School at
Carriere, South Panola of Batesville and Wesson High School.
General admission
to the competition is free with Scott Aquarium membership or paid
admission.
Established
in 1998, National Ocean Sciences Bowl provides an educational forum
for students who excel in math and science to earn recognition for
their diligence and talents. Regional competitions will be held
at 24 locations around the United States at member institutions
of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education.
The J.L. Scott
Marine Education Center and Aquarium is a part of the university's
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and the College of Marine Sciences.
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