By Janet Krenn
For a record forth year in a row, Bishop Sullivan High School took top honors at the Annual Blue Crab Bowl on Saturday February 26. Students Walker Olsen, Cameron Forren, Mary Chang, Nathan Taylor, and Joe Brindenstine with their coach, science teacher Bill Dunn were awarded a Blue Crab Bowl Trophy to commend their success at the day-long marine science quiz tournament held at Virginia Institute of Marine Science (Gloucester Point).
Students from this year’s first place team, Bishop Sullivan High School (Virginia Beach), will compete in the National Ocean Science Bowl Competition on April 29 to May 1 in Galveston, Texas. Runners up in this year’s competition included Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School (Glenns) in second, Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School (Warsaw), and Broadwater Academy (Exmore) in fourth.
16 teams were randomly chosen to compete in this year’s tournament, the 14th Annual Blue Crab Bowl. Students who participate prepare through class work and extracurricular study with their science teachers, who serve as coaches. Students explore marine science topics, practice thinking on their feet, and develop team and analytical skills for the competitive quiz bowl setting.
The Blue Crab Bowl is Virginia’s regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl and one of the 15 founding competitions. The Blue Crab Bowl aims to encourage students’ understanding and awareness of ocean sciences, including oceanography, geology, biology, maritime history, and marine policy. The Blue Crab Bowl is the result cooperative effort between the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences (Old Dominion University). More than 80 faculty, graduate students, research and support staff volunteer their time to officiate and manage the event.
This year’s Blue Crab Bowl was made possible by the sponsorship of national, regional, and local sponsors, including Virginia Institute of Marine Science and its Dean & Director’s Office, Old Dominion University, VIMS Marine Advisory Program, Virginia Sea Grant, The Mariners’ Museum, Pizza Hut-Gloucester Point, Comfort Suites-Airport (Newport News), the VIMS Gift Shop, Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Association and National Marine Educators Association.
Schools that competed include:
Seton School (Manassas), Fauquier High School (Warrenton), Louisa County High School (Mineral), Fredricksburg Academy (Fredricksburg), Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School (Virginia Beach), Maury High School (Norfolk), Churchland High School (Portsmouth), Patrick Henry High School (Ashland), Isle of Wight Academy (Isle of Wight), St. Christopher’s School (Richmond), Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School (Warsaw Campus in Tappahannock), Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School (Glenns), and Broadwater Academy (Exmore).
Read more about the 2011 Blue Crab Bowl.
View more photos from the 2011 Blue Crab Bowl
