The Ocean GyreKEEPING CURRENT WITH THE NATIONAL OCEAN SCIENCES BOWL

Sea Stars Shine in the Lone Star State

Issue Number 1, September 2011

Welcome to the inaugural National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) newsletter – The OCEAN GYRE.

Just as currents can travel for great distances, so does the reach of the NOSB. Therefore, in an effort to stay better connected with our vast network of volunteers and participants (past & current) from all across the country, we are instituting a bi-annual e-newsletter. We feel this will be a fun and effective way to provide insight into how the regional involvement of thousands has so positively affected the national NOSB program, the ocean science field and the greater scientific community. The newsletter will include relevant ocean science articles, stories about special individuals, and ways you can become more involved in NOSB.

As you click through the following pages, you will enjoy great stories and photos from the 2011 Finals Competition, catch-up with longtime, uber-enthusiastic volunteer Rick Rigazio, and learn how NOSB alumnus Brian Kennedy’s career was influenced by his participation in NOSB. You will also read about a new competition element and two future leaders!

All of these successes would not have been achieved without the commitment from thousands of dedicated individuals each year. So, whether you have participated as a competitor, a volunteer or as an educator (or any combination of these), thank you for helping to make NOSB what it has grown to be today – an ever expanding network of people who care deeply about our ocean and marine science education!

Please feel free to email us at nosb@oceanleadership.org if you have suggestions for future stories or names of individuals that we should interview. We look forward to hearing from you and bringing you the next addition of The OCEAN GYRE.

Thanks for reading and keeping current with NOSB!

Kathleen Meehan Coop Director, NOSB

Inside This Issue...2011 NOSB Finals Competition . . . 2

Alumni Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Dedicated Volunteers of NOSB . . 5

NOSB Students in Action! . . . . . . 6

Video Contest Announcement . . . . . 6

NOSB Students Learn How to Inform Decision Makers . . . . 7

2011 National Ocean Scholars . . . . 8

Alumni Information Form . . . . . . . 9

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Finals CompetitionGalveston, TX • April 28 to May 1, 2011

Deep in the Heart of TexasOver 120 high school students, confident in their knowledge about marine and oceanic science, gathered in Galveston, Texas from April 28 to May 1, 2011 for the 14th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®) Finals Competition. The 2011 Finals was hosted by the Dolphin and Loggerhead regional Challenges, the Texas Sea Grant College Program and Texas A&M University at Galveston. The location and theme for Finals - “Human Responses to Ocean Events”– were intrinsically linked this year, as Galveston embodies the deep connection between humans and ocean events as the city continues to rebuild after being struck by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

The weekend started with some amazing field trips for the students, including a history and photography tour of Galveston, a kayak trip on Drum Bay, a behind-the-scenes experience at Moody Gardens Aquarium and a sea grass and beach dune restoration project at Galveston Island State Park.

After spending most of the day in the sun, the students were treated to a presentation by a living icon in the oceanographic world, Dr. Sylvia Earle. Dr. Earle spoke about her research mission in the Gulf of Mexico where she was lucky enough to encounter a huge congregation of whale sharks, and later conversed with students during dinner at the Moody Gardens Aquarium.

When Saturday arrived, the students were serious, focused and ready to compete. Their drive to succeed was particularly important this year because the teams also had to participate in a new Policy Briefing component (turn to page 7 to learn more about this new addition). To provide the participants with periodic breaks, Dr. Ellen Prager presented on her new book Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean’s Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter; Dr. John Jacob engaged them in a discussion about his work with the Texas Coastal Watershed Program; and Ms. Emma Hickerson discussed her research in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

As always, the competition that determined first place was exciting and included a few surprises. But in the end,

Marshfield High School won the 14th annual NOSB Finals Championship!Second place went to Lexington High School, MA; third place to Santa Monica High School, CA; and the top Policy Briefing team was Juneau-Douglas/Thunder Mountain High School, AK. In recognition of their hard work and determination these four teams were each awarded experiential trips to Puerto Rico, South Florida, Southern California, or the Pacific Northwest. All the students,

however, did a terrific job and should be commended for their knowledge of marine science and the stamina needed to compete round after round.

The NOSB national office would like to thank the staff at Texas A&M University at Galveston, all the TX volunteers, Jacqui Stanley (the local artist who provided the artwork for the competition), and all of our many sponsors for helping to make Finals a wonderful event.

A photo slide show of the competition weekend is available on the NOSB website (www.nosb.org).

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Brian Kennedy participated in the Southern Stingray Bowl as a sophomore, junior and senior while attending Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Georgia. From the age of five, Kennedy had an avid love of the marine sciences, and his high school’s NOSB team was a “natural fit” for his interests.

Kennedy was pleased with his NOSB experience and believed it helped him prepare for college by broadening his understanding of marine sciences. “The questions were so diverse that I had to spend time researching marine chemistry, politics, technology and geology,” he said. “It was so much more than your typical high school biology class.”

To prepare for the Southern Stingray Bowl, Kennedy and his teammates invented a poker-like quiz game to help them study. The strategy was successful: Kennedy and his team went on to win their regional bowl during his junior year, and subsequently placed fourth at the 2005 Finals Competition in Biloxi, Mississippi. Later that summer, the team enjoyed an award trip to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

While attending the 2004 Finals Competition at the College of Charleston, Kennedy met several would-be professors who helped convince him to enroll at the College of Charleston. Kennedy credits Dr. Leslie Sautter, who volunteered both at the regional and national competitions, for taking an interest in him, and guiding him to his alma mater.

Kennedy found his current employer, NOAA Corps, through NOSB as well. He became interested through one of the field trips at the national Finals Competition that took students aboard the NOAA vessel Nancy Foster. This led Kennedy to discover that there were job opportunities aboard federal fleets of oceanographic and fishery research vessels. His curiosity was peaked. After graduating, he turned to NOAA to help start his career. He is serving as a Junior Officer aboard the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer, which will be conducting studies in the Galapagos Spreading Center and the Gulf of Mexico this summer. More information on Brian’s current job at NOAA can be found at http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/welcome.html#.

Once he returns ashore, Kennedy would like to pursue an advanced degree in marine science and hopes to return to volunteer at a regional NOSB bowl.

Where Are They Now?

Alumni Spotlight:

Brian Kennedy, Junior OfficerNOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps)

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Melissa Brodeur: How and when did you become involved with NOSB?Rick Rigazio: In early 2002, I was asked to represent the Chief of Naval Research at the NOSB in Providence, Rhode Island. It was an honor to be chosen. Now, after many years, I have often considered myself very fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time.I arrived in Providence and had a wonderful seat in the audience for two days of competition. I observed all of the rounds and two things stood out to me. First, I sat near the Contoocook Valley (ConVal) High School team from New Hampshire, who was attending Finals, even though they had lost in their regional competition. I found myself captivated by the dedication of Coach Jon Manley and his students wanting to learn more so they could do better the next year. I appreciated the opportunity to “learn the ropes” as they explained the process of the competition. Second, I saw Lexington High School from Massachusetts in action. Lexington was an intimidating team that drove other teams to distraction by holding their buzzers above their heads as each question was read. I was hooked. I spoke to the Regional Coordinator of the Quahog Bowl and asked if I could help in 2003, willing to do anything other than sitting in the audience.MB: Why do you continue to participate each year? RR: My participation allows me to renew wonderful relationships with students, coaches and other dedicated volunteers and staff. I appreciate the opportunities I have had with folks at the Blue Lobster Bowl, Shore Bowl and most recently the Blue Heron Bowl. I have been joined by my wife, Elaine, at several competitions, and we have both thoroughly enjoyed

our interactions with students at lunch, events and in and around the competitions.

MB: Do you have a favorite memory from your years as a volunteer?

RR: I have many! They always revolve around the championship round at Nationals.

At the 2006 Finals in Pacific Grove, California, I found myself mesmerized by a Mission San Jose team that answered team challenge questions by surrounding the answer sheet – all four students writing simultaneously. The choreographer was to be congratulated.

A second favorite, the National Championship rounds in Seward, Alaska where I moderated the final round. Not even an avalanche could detract from such an honor.

MB: What is your favorite part of the NOSB competitions?

RR: The students competing are what make NOSB special. I am impressed each time I ask where these young folks plan to attend college, being confronted by the sheer number of students readying themselves for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and various Ivies. And, even better, these very smart and self-sufficient students are engaging, interesting and nice to be around.

MB: How has volunteering for NOSB benefited you?

RR: I have learned how to pronounce very intriguing words and the answers to many questions (especially when I have the answers in front of me as a Moderator). I have tucked into my belt several lessons on being a better teacher and coach through observations at each competition. I will continue to come back. NOSB keeps giving me much more than I ever thought possible.

The Stewards: Highlighting the Dedicated Volunteers of NOSB

Captain Rick Rigazio, U.S. Navy (Retired) Naval Science Awards Program, Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Captain Rigazio has been a perennial NOSB volunteer since 2002. Rick retired in June, 2004 from 30 years of Naval service and eight years of teaching Mathematics at the secondary and preparatory school levels. Since 2002, he has worked as an Operations Research Analyst, first in Rhode Island, and now with the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Virginia.

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2012 Living on the Ocean Planet Video ContestThe National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®), in partnership with the National Marine

Educators Association (NMEA) and the Ocean Today Kiosk, is sponsoring the 2012 Living on the Ocean Planet video contest. Any students currently enrolled in high school are eligible

to submit a two minute video on this year’s contest theme “A Sea of Change: Development and Evolution,” which includes, but is not limited to, biological adaptation over time, humankind’s evolving understanding of ocean systems, and the development of systems and technologies that

allow us to adapt with the changing ocean.

Prizes will be awarded to the top submissions at both the regional and national level. The 1st place team’s video will premiere on the NOAA Ocean Today Kiosk! Watch our

website for upcoming details on contest rules, guidelines and the submission deadline!

Jordan Massey and Keith Young Jr.

NOSB STUDENTS IN ACTION!Jordan Massey and Keith Young Jr., past participants in NOSB’s Great Lakes Bowl, are no longer strangers to the effects of oil spills in coastal waters. During their junior year at Renaissance High School in Detroit, MI, they saw first-hand the ‘real’ impact the 2010 oil spill had on the Gulf of Mexico’s marine and coastal environments. Analyzing water quality samples and evaluating turtle nesting grounds for tar balls, the duo gained insight into how Gulf biota was affected by the oil spill.

So, why are two high school students from Detroit interested in the Gulf of Mexico? Keith and Jordan note that their interest in the ocean sciences stems from their experiences with NOSB. “What really got me involved in ocean sciences was the NOSB program,” Jordan said. Through their involvement in ECOTEK, a Michigan-based organization of scientists and engineers that helps high school and middle school students in major urban centers participate in research, Jordan and Keith also gained the laboratory skills necessary to investigate the impacts of the spill.

Prior to their trip, Keith and Jordan spent a great deal

of time learning about the effects of oil on the chemical properties of seawater and testing different techniques that they would eventually put into practice on-site all along the coast of the Florida Panhandle. Through their fieldwork, they witnessed the changes in water quality resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and how these changes affected marine life and the health of the Gulf of Mexico. They also interviewed government officials from the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA, staff from British Petroleum (BP), and members of the local community, all of whom were involved with oil spill response or economic recovery strategies. The two students agreed that their interviews helped them differentiate between the individuals tasked with response efforts and completing research, and the agencies functioning in supervisory capacities.

Jordan and Keith hope that they will be able to share information that they’ve learned with other people. “We want to show [other students] that they can be scientists too,” Jordan says. The two young men aspire to work in environmental sciences. “We both want the best for our world,” Jordan explained. For Keith, this means that he’ll be combining a background in environmental science with education so that he can teach the science that excites him. Jordan also noted that he recommends NOSB to his fellow ECOTEKers “because you learn a lot.”

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How to InformNOSB Students Learn

Decision MakersDr. Robert Stickney, Texas A&M Professor and Texas Sea Grant Director, shuffled through his notes before leaning forward and addressing the team in front of him. “You indicated your support for land-based closed recirculating [aquaculture] systems,” he said seriously, “but there are issues associated with those systems. Can you think of any?”

After counseling briefly with her teammates, Junior Mari LeGagnoux of Santa Monica High School replied, “In closed land based systems, you have to pump in a lot of water, [which] can be a problem. It can also lead to the impingement and entrainment of fish larvae of other species. If you don’t have a recirculation system, there can be a discharge of high-salinity or high-temperature waste water, which can also affect the environment.”

Mari’s knowledgeable response was one of many that students gave to judges during NOSB’s first ever Policy Briefing

Competition. Created to emphasize critical thinking skills, the 2011 Policy Briefing required participants to read and submit written responses to five bills dealing with aquaculture from the

111th U.S. Congress. Each team selected five stakeholders engaged, and potentially affected, by aquaculture policy from industry representatives to scientific researchers.

Students wrote their individual testimonies based on one of these specific stakeholder’s interests.

Teams concluded their written testimonies with a final recommendation, which required their team’s five stakeholders to

come to consensus in order to advise on aquaculture policy.

Teams read their testimonies to a panel of three judges on the first day of the 2011 Finals Competition. The

teams brought a wide variety of arguments to the table, both for and against the proposed legislation,

citing the potential environmental and economic impacts of the policies. Judges questioned the testimonies critically, forcing participants to defend their statements and prove their understanding of the science behind their claims.

First place in the Policy Briefing was won by the Juneau-Douglas/Thunder Mountain team from Alaska: Tyler Housweart, Seth Brickey, Sam Kurland, Martina Miller and

Elise Christey. The Tsunami Bowl participants swept into the competition room and called for “substantial amendments” to be made to the proposed legislation. Supporting their arguments with scientific literature, Pew studies and government publications, they advocated for policies to be tailored to local environments, to include regional fisheries management counsels, and to ensure that the regulators have the power to define “ecosystem management measures” and “sustainable yield” for domestic aquaculture.

In addition to their literature research, the Juneau-Douglas/Thunder Mountain team furthered their understanding of aquaculture issues by meeting with Alaska state representatives prior to the competition. The reward for their hard work was a trip to the Pacific Northwest this past July, where they gained first-hand perspectives on domestic aquaculture from business owners, tribal representatives and state officials.

The National Office would like to congratulate all participants for their commendable performance in the Policy Briefing.

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Sarah DeLandHometown: Bothell, WA

Sarah will be attending Western Washington University to study Marine Biology. She has already earned an Associates of Arts and Sciences degree from the Ocean

Research College Academy at Everett Community College, through an early college program focused on marine research, and attended Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington, DC last June as a Junior Ocean Diplomat.

Lindsey PrechtHometown: Miami Lakes, FL

Lindsey will study Biology at Williams College. Lindsey has a growing list of scientific presentations and publications, including a Geological Society of America (GSA) abstract

and presentation at the International Coral Reef Symposium. She has conducted research on coral reefs in the Florida Keys and presented her work to senior scientists.

Zachary GoldHometown: Santa Monica, CA

Zachary will major in Marine Biology at Stanford University. He has a history of environmental action: testifing to ban plastic bags in his home city, organizing beach

cleanups with the Surfrider Foundation and developing a water monitoring program operated out of his high school.

Nicholas RobertsHometown: Friday Harbor, WA

Nicholas will pursue his interest in ROVs by majoring in Ocean Engineering and working in the marine robotics laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology (MIT). In addition to participating in NOSB for four years, he is one of the founding members of the MATE ROV team of Friday Harbor High School.

Jorie HeilmanHometown: Lexington, MA

Jorie will begin her undergraduate education at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, where she plans to major in Biology and

Marine Science. She was also one of the first place winners for the first (2009) NOSB “Living on the Ocean Planet” video contest.

Helen StockmanHometown: Waterford, CT

Helen will attend the University of Miami to study Marine Science. She was chosen as one of six students to be included in an accelerated study program, the Marine Scholars, at

the University of Connecticut. Through this opportunity, she has designed and participated in independent research.

The Impressive Next Generation2011 National Ocean Scholars

NOSB’s National Ocean Scholar Program provides tuition assistance for NOSB participants pursing an ocean or marine science focus in their first year of college. Each year the NOSB national office is blown away by the maturity, experience and dedication shown by the scholarship applicants. The 2011 applicants were no less impressive. We’d like to congratulate our six 2011 National Ocean Scholars!

We wish each of these students, as well as all our NOSB participants entering their first year in college, the best of luck. Keep us informed at nosb@oceanleadership.org of your successes as you strive to reach your ideal careers.

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Hey NOSB Alumni! Are you interested in receiving our biannual newsletter? If so, please fill out and submit the following form via the “Submit Form” button in the purple task bar above.

First Name: ______________________________________ Last Name: ______________________________________

Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________________________ State: _________________ Zip: _____________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone: _____________________________________ Cell Phone: ______________________________________

High School: ________________________________________________ Graduation Year (MM/YY): ____________

How many years did you participate in NOSB? _______ In which Bowl? ___________________________________

College/University Attended: ________________________________________________________________________

Graduation Year (MM/YY): _________________________ Major/Degree: __________________________________

Graduate School: __________________________________________________________________________________

Graduation Date (MM/YY): ________________________ Degree: _________________________________________

Since graduating high school, have you volunteered at any NOSB events? Yes No

If yes, at what location? _______________________________________________ Most recent year: _____________

If you are not already, would be interested in volunteering at an NOSB event? Yes No

Would you be interested in potentially being contacted to be interviewed by NOSB? Yes No

Do you have email addresses of former NOSB teammates that you would be willing to share so that they to can receive the Ocean Gyre Newsletter by listserv? (All email addresses will be kept confidential by NOSB.)

Alumni Name: ____________________________________ Email: __________________________________________

Alumni Name: ____________________________________ Email: __________________________________________

Alumni Name: ____________________________________ Email: __________________________________________

Alumni Name: ____________________________________ Email: __________________________________________

*All information provided will only be used by NOSB to stay in contact with Alumni and will not be shared with outside sources.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor provides an interesting backdrop for the competition due to its history as an important port for U.S. trade. It is the largest U.S. seaport in the Mid-Atlantic, and was once the second largest port of entry for immigrants coming to the U.S. Baltimore has one of the only two 50-foot shipping channels on the East Coast. The 50-Foot Channel, which extends 150 nautical miles from the Port of Baltimore to the Atlantic Ocean, was dredged to accommodate the increasing size of cargo ships. Baltimore is ranked number one for handling farm and construction equipment, and imported forest products, gypsum, sugar and iron ore. Baltimore is ranked second for exporting cars.

Today, the port uses state-of-the-art systems for shipping and tracking and recently welcomed its largest container ship ever – weighing in at about 107,000 gross tons. It is 1,011 feet in length and 138 feet wide.

The theme for the 2012 Regional and National competitions will be “A Sea of Change: Development and Evolution.” The theme will not only deal with biological evolution, but the adaptations of humans to a changing ocean. For example, technologies are developed and evolve to address our nation’s need for operational forecasting systems and offshore alternative/renewable energy production, and how federal agencies have had to adapt their research and management practices to answer emerging issues such as ocean acidification.

If our readers have any suggestions regarding Finals sponsorship or student field trips in the Baltimore area, please contact the NOSB National Office at nosb@oceanleadership.org.

We hope to see many familiar faces in Baltimore!

The 2012 NOSB Finals Competition

will be held in Baltimore, MD from April 19-22, 2012!

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS!

COME SAY ‘HELLO!’ The Consortium for Ocean Leadership will be attending the upcoming OCEANS’11 MTS/IEEE Conference in Kona, Hawaii from September 19–22, 2011. Please stop by our booth to say ‘hello’ and to learn more about NOSB, and Ocean Leadership’s other research and education programs.

The mission of NOSB is to prepare the next generation of students for careers in ocean science by providing an educational forum for students to excel in math and science, as well as receive national recognition for their diligence and talents. NOSB has proven that

it can generate student interest and excitement about science and the ocean, giving young people a chance to examine the marine sciences as an in-depth area of study and as a possible career.

The NOSB is coordinated in associated with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), and is generously supported by U.S. government agencies as well as corporations, foundations and other non-governmental organizations.

The NOSB is managed by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, a Washington DC-based nonprofit organization that represents 99 of the leading public and private ocean research and education institutions, aquaria and industry.

To contact the NOSB National Office, please email us at nosb@oceanleadership.org.

Are you a fan of NOSB on ? If not, ‘like’ us at www.facebook.com/pages/National-Ocean-Sciences-Bowl/362099225111.

“Arrr me hearties fair winds to Ye from the scurvy NOSB crew says I”

DID YOU KNOW? September 19th is

International Talk Like a Pirate Day!