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University Relations 202 Eielson Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7520
(907)474-7581 Fax (907)474-6492
fynews@uaf.edu

Fairbanks, Alaska - To the winners go the spoils. And this year the spoils are pretty good, indeed. Free tuition for the first year of college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is the prize offered to the members of the high school team that wins the Alaska Region finals of the 1999 National Ocean Sciences Bowl.

"UAF's reputation in the sciences is strong, especially in the contributions made here to the field of marine science and oceanography. I'm happy to be able to offer this incentive to Alaska students who will have worked so hard in this unique science competition," said UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow. "Alaska's high school students are among the very finest anywhere and we want them to study here at UAF."

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl began last year as a way to increase knowledge of the oceans among high school students and to spur interest in marine science careers. Sixteen Alaska teams battled in the 1998 Alaska Region competition last February in Seaward. East Anchorage High School prevailed, winning the honor of representing Alaska in the national finals held in Washington, D.C. last April. A team from Lexington, Mass., took first place in the nationals, winning an all-expense paid trip to Expo '98 in Lisbon, Portugal.

And although this school year has only just started, the competition is heating up among high schools seeking to enter teams in the 1999 competition. So far, 18 teams

from 15 Alaska High Schools have signed up to compete in Alaska regionals, to be held at the Seward High School Feb. 12-14, 1999. Space exists for several additional teams, which must register by Oct. 16, 1998. To sign up your school, contact Judy McDonald, 907-224-5261.

So far, teams from Anchorage, Eagle River, Huslia, Palmer, Juneau, Shaktoolik, Unalakleet, Soldotna, and other communities are planning to give their all in an intense day of rapid-fire questions about biology, chemistry, geology, physics, history, current events and economics of the ocean

The winning Alaska team will travel to Washington, D.C., to take part in the Finals of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, to be held April 9-12, 1999 at Gallaudet University.

As part of the Alaska Region competition, each team must prepare a scientific report on the decline of Steller sea lions in Alaska. The report counts for 50 percent of the competition.

Alaska is the site of one of 20 regional competitions to be conducted around the country. Each team consists of four members and most teams have one alternate member. Alaska teams also will compete for trips aboard research ships, visits to oceanographic research laboratories, and other prizes.

The 1999 National Ocean Sciences Bowl is being conducted by the 50-member Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education and the National Marine Educators Association. Financial support comes from the U.S. Navy, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Student teams from the following high schools, led by their coaches, are scheduled to compete in the 1999 Alaska Region National Ocean Sciences Bowl.

CONTACT: Seward Marine Center Lab Technician Judy McDonald, 907-224-5261, or email at fnjm1@uaf.edu

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