Today, technological advances allow us to explore and research vast regions of the oceans which until recently were relatively unknown. With these new discoveries comes the potential to improve not only the economic well-being of our country but also our quality of life. Now our challenge is to continue the exploration and develop strategies for managing the oceans' resources. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) is one program that prepares the next generation of marine scientists, policy makers, teachers, explorers, researchers, technicians, environmental advocates, and informed citizens to accept this challenge.
-Official NOSB web site, http://www.nosb.org

In February, 2005, the Linworth National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) team
once again earned 1st place at the Great Lakes Bowl, the regional
competition held each year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. As a
result, they received a free trip to Biloxi, MS, to compete in the
nationals, paid for by CORE (the Consortium of Oceanographic Research and
Exploration) and NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration). They also won a cash award from the regional event,
which they used to pay for their expenses to spend an extra day at the
nationals. The team members included: Mike Barga, Ande Bell, Lindy Long,
Captain Mike Petrick, and Alex Whitney.

While there, the students and coaches were treated to a variety of field
trips, such as: Stennis Space Center, the Aquarium of the Americas in New
Orleans, sea kayaking in the Gulf, or a day-trip on one of the Biloxi
Schooners (a replica of the early fishing boats in the area). All the
teams spent the evening before the competition enjoying a walk and cookout
on Ship Island, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. By the end of
the 2nd day of competition, Linworth's team was tied for 9th place, from a
field of 26 teams. When you consider that each of those teams was the
winner of a regional (from a field of 12 to 16 teams) the Linworth team did
very well indeed!

Over the years, Carol Landis has coached 6 teams of AP students for the
NOSB competition. In reverse order, they were:

2004: This was the year that the Linworth team finally ousted Port Hope,
MI, team to earn the 1st place award! Team members were: Michael
Barfuss, Lindy Long, Michael Petrick, Captain Jon Pratt, and Alex Whitney.
We traveled to Charleston, SC, for the national competition in April and
enjoyed a 'berth and breakfast" experience in the harbor the night before
the competition along with a selection of field trips organized by the
national coordinators.

2003: Linworth earned 2nd place (after a double-tie breaker) in a real
heart-breaker session. Our team consisted of: Michael Barfuss, Brian
Carnahan, Ariel Cohen, Michael Petrick, and Captain Jon Pratt.

2002: The Linworth team took 2nd place--out of 11 teams. This year's team
was comprised of: Michael Barfuss, Brian Carnahan, Captain Jon Pratt, Ryo
Sato, and Ariel Cohen.

2001: After having missed the competition the year before, Linworth's team
won 3rd place--out of 12 teams. The team included: Michael Barfuss, Brian
Carnahan, Captain Ryan Greene, Jon Pratt, and Ryo Sato.

1999: Having no experience with the rules and no way to practice, the
Linworth team was proud to earn 6th place out of 15 teams. It took them
one round to see how the game was played, but we were disadvantaged by that
first loss. Team members included: Lindsay Bleimes, Liz Baker, Diana
Lafyatis, Claire Moore, & Emily Puckett.

To learn more about the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, visit the official NOSB web site at http://www.nosb.org.

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National Ocean Sciences Bowl 2002

The official photo of the Linworth NOSB team, taken on the "wave field" (designed by Maya Lin) which is outside the X. F. Bagnoud Center on the U. of Michigan campus.

The Linworth NOSB team in action! Left to right: Ryo Sato (12th gr.), Jon Pratt (10th gr.), Ariel Cohen (11th gr.), and Michael Barfuss (10th gr.) at the regional competition for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl in Ann Arbor, MI. (Feb. '02)

The team's hard work paid off - The Linworth AP NOSB team earned 2nd place out of 11 teams. Left to right: Ryo Sato, Ariel Cohen, Carol Landis, Michael Barfuss, Jon Pratt, and Brian Carnahan (10th gr.)