Nor'easter Bowl tests high school students’ knowledge of the ocean

Ninety high school students from 11 schools recently came to UNE to take part in the 2019 Nor'easter Bowl hosted by the Department of Marine Sciences and the Marine Science Center.

The competition uses a quiz-bowl format to test students’ knowledge of marine sciences. Subjects include marine biology, chemistry, physics, oceanography, geology, geography, engineering, history and policy questions.

The Nor’easter Bowl is a regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB). The goal of the NOSB is to support and expand ocean sciences education and enhance public understanding and stewardship of the oceans.

Judges for the competition came from UNE, the University of Maine, the University of New Hampshire, Maine Maritime Academy and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

This year's event event was featured on WCSH.

Belfast High School captured first place at this year's event, with second place going to York High School and third place to Conticook Valley Regional High School in New Hampshire.

During the awards ceremony Alicia Williams, Ph.D., assistant lecturer in the Department of Marine Sciences, asked the students to raise their hands if they learned something new or met anyone new at the competition.

“Nearly every single student raised their hand,” she said. “I know that these and other benefits of the NOSB competition will continue to be felt by the students for years to come."

UNE and the University of Maine will be providing scholarships to members of the top teams.

Belfast High School will head to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals April 11 to 14.