28th Blue Crab Bowl inspires future marine science leaders
Even after 28 years, the anticipation of which team will buzz in with the correct answer first still fills each competition room with tangible energy. More than 70 students representing 12 high school teams from across the Commonwealth braved snowy, windy conditions to gather at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS on Saturday, February 7. These students spent the day competing in the 28th Blue Crab Bowl, Virginia’s regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB).
Hosted by the Batten School & VIMS with support from Virginia Sea Grant, the Blue Crab Bowl is one of 25 regional NOSB competitions nationwide. With the help of 45 volunteers, teams are tested on their marine science knowledge through a fast-paced academic quiz-bowl format. The morning begins with head-to-head matches, where teams answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions before collaborating on a written worksheet with complex analytical questions. Scores from these rounds determine afternoon brackets, where teams advance in a tournament-style competition until the top four finishers are determined.
“The head-to-head, fast-paced, team marine science trivia concept is different from pretty much everything else they encounter in high school,” said Bethany Smith, regional coordinator of Blue Crab Bowl and associate director of formal education at the Batten School & VIMS. “The bowl provides high school students with exposure to a marine science research facility, and faculty, staff, and students who are excited to share their own pathways into this field.”
“Students get to find a community of peers, other students in the state who are just as knowledgeable and just as excited about marine science as they are.”
-Bethany Smith, regional coordinator of Blue Crab Bowl
Prior to competition day, teams dedicate months of extensive training to strengthening marine science knowledge, analytical thinking, and collaboration skills. This training varies across schools, but Lexi Duscher, dual-enrollment research teacher and Blue Crab Bowl coach at New Horizons Governor’s School for Science and Technology, offers a glimpse into what training looks like for their team.
Duscher explains that competing students meet bi-weekly during a dedicated advisory period built into their program to practice for the Blue Crab Bowl. “During these sessions, students practice answering past Blue Crab Bowl questions and can work with their coaches for extra support or deeper learning on specific topics,” said Duscher. Each team member is also assigned marine science topics to study outside of school, ensuring broad expertise across the team.
Those months of hard work paid off, because New Horizons secured first place in this year’s Blue Crab Bowl. Although funding uncertainties mean the NOSB National Finals, a competition that brings together the first-place teams from all 25 regions, will not be held this year, students approached each match with focus and enthusiasm, impressing attendees and volunteers with their depth of knowledge.
“Blue Crab Bowl has been an incredible opportunity for our students to explore their passion in marine science at a deeper level than what is offered by our school program,” said Duscher. “Our students always look forward to this event and enjoy the opportunity to connect with peers they may not typically interact with at school.”
On the podium with New Horizons were three additional top finishers: Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School- Glenn’s Campus placed second, Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School-Bowling Green Campus placed third, and Norfolk Collegiate placed fourth.
“Students get to find a community of peers, other students in the state who are just as knowledgeable and just as excited about marine science as they are,” said Smith.
Photos and story by Bayleigh Albert | Virginia Sea Grant
Published February 17, 2026.
To view more photos from the event, visit the Virginia Sea Grant Flickr album and Batten School & VIMS Flickr album.
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