The 11th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl "Loggerhead Challenge" brought 12 teams from eight Texas high schools to participate in the competition at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) on February 21.

Sponsored by the Center for Coastal Studies at TAMU-CC, the Loggerhead Challenge also receives support and funding from the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (CORE), Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Harte Research Institute and the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. More than 50 volunteers act as officials for the bowl and assist with logistics.

Numerous HRI staff and students were involved in planning and running the event, including Sandra Arismendez, Gail Sutton, Gary Haralson, Allison Knight, Dr. Fabio Moretzsohn, Dr. Tom Shirley, and Dr. Wes Tunnell. They participated at moderators, science judges, rules judges, and time keepers.

Competitors came from not only area schools, but schools from as far away as Dalhart in the Texas Panhandle to compete in this fast-paced academic bowl covering all facets of oceanic studies.

All participants in the Loggerhead Challenge are winners in their own right for their dedication and zeal in learning about the oceans. Glibly answering questions many professionals in the ocean sciences field would be hard-pressed to answer on the spot, the students involved with the NOSB program are thought to be some of the best and brightest in Texas.

Team A from Star Charter School of Austin won first place, Team B from Star Charter School took second place and Team B from Madison High School of San Antonio took third place.

The first-place team will compete in the National NOSB Championships in late April, which this year is being held in Washington, D.C., and will be escorted by NOSB Regional Coordinator Matthew Schweitzer of the Center for Coastal Studies.

The night before the competition, the participants convened in HRI's conference room for dinner. Afterwards TAMU-CC students Kenneth Rainer, Michael Reuscher and Courtney Lee gave presentations, as did the Gulf of Mexico Foundation's Project Leader Richard Gonzales who organizes the GMF's Science and Spanish Club Network. Afterwards, the NOSB participants watched a screening of Volcanoes of the Deep Sea by director James Cameron.

The Loggerhead Challenge kicked off with a moving introduction from Dr. Sylvia Earle, Chair of HRI Advisory Council, and culminated with an awards ceremony honoring not only the winners but all of the participants.

On the day following the competition, many participants traveled to Rockport, Texas, for field trips and activities including a bay tour aboard the Center for Coastal Studies' outreach education vessel, the Wetland Explorer, captained by Aquatic Education Program Director Jay Tarkington.

- Matthew Schweitzer, Research Specialist    
  TAMU-CC Center for Coastal Studies