NOAA-CREST OUTREACH: NOSB

This year the Bronx High School of Science (BHSS) team again placed 4th just out of the money. In round 7, the team lost by one point to the last year’s winner - Churchville Chili, who again won this year’s regional competition. BHSS team had a bonus question at the end of the round, but was not able to convert on this opportunity to win the match.

Had the BHSS team beaten Churchville, they might have won the tournament. In a similar situation during the pre-tournament practice scrimmage sessions, BHSS beat St. Ann’s two out of three rounds. However, in round 8, St. Ann’s they beat BHSS, because the questions that were asked focused on social science issues, rather than marine science or oceanography, which was BHSS’ expertise. The tournament is like basketball, in any round any of the top six teams (there are 16 in this tournament) can beat another top team, depending on the match-up of the type of questions asked.

The kids from BHSS are as smart as any team in the regional competition. They are great representatives for the NOAA CREST Center. And again it should be noted, they are the only totally minority team in this tournament. Them team is working on a strategy and plan for next year (2009) to replace the two graduating seniors and are working to shore up weaknesses in the social science and environmental policy areas. In addition, a lot of interest has been expressed from coaches of other high schools within the greater New York City metro area about developing a pretournament tune-up competition in NYC. As such, plans are underway to run a NYC tournament at CCNY in December 2008 or January 2009.

The NOAA CREST Center continues to sponsor the Bronx High School of Science team that competed in the NOAA Ocean Science Bowl Regional Competition at Stony Brook University, Long Island New York. This year the competition was held on February 10, 2007. Sponsorship of this team provides NOAA CREST with an ongoing presence at BHSS and the opportunity of getting to know their science teachers who frequently recommend various colleges and universities to the students in their classes preparing to go to college.
Since about 97% of the students that graduate from BHSS choose to enroll in engineering and science programs when they enter college, creating awareness of the opportunities available to them at CCNY is a valuable means of increasing enrollment among this high achieving group of minority students.
In the 2007 regional competition at Stony Brook University, the BHSS team placed 5th among the 24 teams. The team was composed of all minority students, making it somewhat unique in this type of event. Having gained experience in this type of competition, the BHSS team, which was composed primarily of sophomores and juniors, has a good chance of doing better next year.
The Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education CORE, representing leading oceanographic institutions universities and aquaria, manages a national academic competition for high schools on topics related to the study of the oceans -- the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®). The NOSB was first conducted in the winter and spring of 1998 in honor of the International Year of the Ocean. Past prizes have included trips to Southampton Oceanography Centre in England; Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies on Catalina Island, California; the Florida Keys; the Great Lakes Field Station; cruises on research vessels; visits to oceanographic institutions and aquaria; scholarships; scientific equipment and books. This competition is intended to increase knowledge of the oceans on the part of high school students, their teachers and parents, as well as to raise the visibility and public understanding of the national investment in ocean-related research. Specific objectives of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl are to: Broaden students' and teachers' awareness of the latest scientific research on the oceans and the critical impact of the oceans on global climate and weather, economic well-being, history and culture; Help teachers use the oceans as an interdisciplinary vehicle for teaching biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and mathematics by giving them access to marine science education and scientific professionals; Give oceanographic research programs the opportunity to develop new links with their local pre-college community and open student’s eyes to ocean-related career options; and Reach out to new students and communities to boost participation by populations under-represented in the ocean sciences.

	The Bronx H.S. of Science team finished third out of 16 and in the money. The team actually finished 1 point out of second with a shot for first but the team that beat us made a last second random guess at an answer and beat them with less than ten seconds remaining. The team was honored on the podium and each student received a prize of $500 from the regional competition
	Two members would be returning with experience for 2005 competition and some more brilliant students would be recruited from BHSS to join them. Contacts with two new NYC schools at the competition, Midwood High in Bklyn and Murray Bartram High in Manhattan have been established. The team will continue their association with St Ann’s in Bklyn as well. Their teachers said they would be wiling to participate in a minibowl scrimmage for next year. This way they could all expand the scope of NYC outreach through CREST.

NOSB NEWSLETTER 2005

NOSB REPORT 2004

NOSB REPORT 2003