In order to have the competition run smoothly, at least 70 trained volunteers are needed, and they fill a number of volunteer positions: Moderators (reads questions and keeps the competition running smoothly), Science Judges (addresses any challenges to the content of the questions and answers), Rules Judges (overseer of competition rules), Score Keepers, Time Keepers, Runners, Set-up and Clean-up folks and help during the training sessions. Click here for information on the different roles for Sea Lion Bowl officials.

Why Volunteer?  A great feeling that you have helped a lot of kids reach their goals of competing, getting to work with other ocean science enthusiasts, and your very own Sea Lion Bowl T-Shirt!

Competition Question Writers Needed!

Team Challenge Questions for the 2010 National Ocean Science Bowl competitions are needed by September 23. Team Challenge Questions are written exam-type questions worth 20 points (while short-answer and multiple choice buzzer questions are worth 4-6 points). A team of four students works together to answer the questions within a time limit of 2-5 minutes. Math problems, graphing and interpreting graphs, interpreting maps, and writing long answers can all be part of the question. Simple matching questions are discouraged. Go to
http://www.oceanleadership.org/education/national-ocean-sciences-bowl/volunteers/qwriters/ for guidelines and examples. This year’s theme is Technology, so marine technology questions are especially useful. Old undergraduate level exam questions can work very well, as these high school students are competing at a lower-division undergraduate level, if not higher.

Gift cards worth $10-20 will be offered for the first 10 usable questions received.

Well-crafted Team Challenge questions are of critical importance to the success and learning of teams competing in these ocean science competitions. Please consider taking some time to write a question and send it to Erin Blackwood by September 23.

For additional guidance, please contact Erin Blackwood at erinb@rtc.sfsu.edu or 415-338-3757.