MEDIA ADVISORY 25 February 2002
Contact: Phyllis Shoemaker, National Ocean Sciences Bowl Alaska Coordinator, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Marine Science, Seward Marine Center, 907-224-5261.

Kodiak High School wins 2002 Alaska Ocean Sciences Bowl

Next stop: National Finals in Rhode Island

SEWARD, Alaska—Four students from Kodiak High School defeated a formidable array of opponents from around the state to win the 2002 Alaska Ocean Sciences Bowl, held in Seward, Alaska, over the weekend.

Ten high school teams comprising nearly 50 students from urban communities like Anchorage and rural villages like Kotzebue came to Seward with hopes of winning the state's Fifth Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) Alaska regional competition.

The three-day academic challenge began February 22 in Seward, Alaska.

The event tested students' knowledge of marine science terms, topics and issues in a fast-paced, tournament-style competition. Teams also presented a research project during the three-day competition. In this year's competition, teams evaluated an Alaska wildlife species under human and/or environmental pressure and developed a plan for the species' recovery that considered impacts to local communities.

Kodiak scored the most points, 98 out of 100, in these combined events to become the winner of the Alaska Regional NOSB competition. Kodiak team members received a host of prizes that include free first-year tuition at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Kodiak team will join 21 other teams from around the country in the NOSB Finals, April 26-29, 2002, in Providence, Rhode Island.

Kodiak beat the state's best teams from Eagle River, Seward, Soldotna (two teams), Cordova, Anchorage, Kotzebue and Ninilchik (two teams).

The Alaska regional competition is sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, with additional support from the Alaska Sea Grant College Program. Another major sponsor is the Ocean Alaska Science Learning Center, a cooperative effort of Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Sea Life Center. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) is sponsored by the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE) in partnership with the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA).

Kodiak High School Team Roster
Craig Baker, coach
Matt Van Daele
Devin Boyer
John Van Atta
Shawn Biessel
Arthur Becker, alternate

Students also participated in a competition of creativity, in the form of a juried art show. Entries depicted marine subjects. Emily Berezin, a 10th grade student at Skyview High School in Soldotna, won "Best of Show" for her mixed-media entry. Awards and prizes also were given for for First, Second and Third place in three categories: Two-Dimensional (painting, drawing, and photography); Three-Dimensional (sculpture, pottery, jewelry); and Mixed Media (fiber, collage etc.).

Related websites

Alaska Ocean Sciences Bowl

Students to test ocean science smarts in regional competition
15 February SFOS news release

Alaska high school students cram for ocean knowledge competition
17 January SFOS news release