By: Megan Gee
Homer High School students will never forget the first time they competed in the National Ocean Science Bowl (NOSB) in Seward.
NOSB started in 1998 to present an opportunity to students to study marine biology in a new way. They set up competitions around the nation, and the program began to expand. Students who have participated in NOSB at least one year, who want to pursue a career in science, and who have maintained their academics throughout high school are offered scholarships.
The eight students that participated in the competition were John Walsworth, Josh Vantrease, Katherine Dolma, Adi Davis, Dylan Faulkner, Traven Apiki, Axel Gillam, and Sabina Karwowski. They met every Wednesday at FOL to prepare for the competition, and studied biology, chemistry, physics, and geology, but focused primarily on marine biology.
During practice they either had an informational session to learn more about the ocean or they practiced the quiz bowl part of the competition using buzzers.
Adi Davis said, “For me personally, I prepared for the competition by taking the ocean bowl online quiz during my free time.”
Katherine Dolma said, “This was a great experience to learn about marine biology, and to meet people from around the state who are as interested in biology as I am.”
The team won 3rd place out of 20 teams, and hope to take 1st next year.