NEWS RELEASE

Teams of local high school students will gather at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI), 5600 U.S. 1 North, in Fort Pierce, on Saturday, February 28 to compete in the Florida Manatee Bowl. The annual regional competition tests teams through quick-answer buzzer questions, and the winners earn a spot in the National Ocean Science Bowl (NOSB.) HBOI has co-hosted the event with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences for 18 years, with the event location alternating each year between Fort Pierce and Miami.

“The Florida Manatee Bowl is an opportunity for Florida’s high school students to showcase their interest and understanding of one of greatest resources, our oceans,” said Dr. Dennis Hanisak, Harbor Branch’s Director of Education and coordinator of the event. “I believe the Ocean Sciences Bowl will be both a challenging and a fun event, not only for the students, but also for their teachers, and the scientists and volunteers who will be hosting, organizing, and volunteering at this bowl.”

Through this educational forum, the NOSB strives to encourage and support the next generation of marine scientists, policy makers, teachers, explorers, researchers, technicians, environmental advocates and informed citizens to be stewards of the ocean. St. Lucie County schools that will participate in the event include Westwood’s Marine & Oceanographic Academy, Fort Pierce Central High School, and Lincoln Park Academy.