For Individual Volunteers, NOT Groups
Officiate for the virtual National Finals competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB)
WHEN
- Friday 5/16/2025 - Sunday 5/18/2025, FriAfternoon-Eve,Sat9:25-5:25,Sun12-4:45pm ET Rain or shine.
-
Sign up by 5/14/2025
We still seek 1 Timekeeper+1 Rules Judge on Sat 5/17, 9:25-5:15
~2 volunteers are still needed.
WHAT
FRIDAY 5/16 2:45-4:15pm and/or 9:15-10:45pm ET: Proctoring and Monitoring TCQs
SATURDAY 5/17 9:25am-5:25pm ET: Round Robin Matches w/Separate TCQ Sessions Saturday is when we need the most help.
SUNDAY 5/18 12noon-5:25pm (staggered endings also at 2:05pm and 3:10pm) ET: Elimination & Championship Rounds w/Separate TCQ Sessions
Foster enthusiasm for learning about ocean sciences by keeping time, keeping score, recognizing students who buzz in, proctoring Team Challenge Questions (TCQs), monitoring competitors and coaches on video, and judging science, judging rules*, moderating**, and grading TCQs, all online.
This fast-paced question-and-answer competition on ocean sciences will pit regional champions in an academic quiz bowl format for top honors and prizes. Competitors will use a digital buzzer system to respond to rapid-fire multiple choice and short answer questions. Additionally, team members collaborate to answer complex analytical Team Challenge Questions (TCQs). The 2025 National Finals Competition theme is "Sounding the Depths: Understanding Ocean Acoustics."
No ocean sciences knowledge is needed to serve as a recognizer, timekeeper, scorekeeper, proctor, or monitor, but a positive and supportive attitude and attention to detail are very important for all roles.
Volunteers get to participate in the teams' special Virtual Field Trip with Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) on Thursday, 5/8, 8-9pm ET.
VOLUNTEER OFFICIALS:
- Moderators Read questions clearly and maintain the pace of the game and the competition room. Must demonstrate excellent public speaking skills and mastery of technology during training/selection process. While one computer is OK, two are ideal so that you will not risk accidentally screen sharing the questions and answers. Moderators are also required to serve as zoom meeting host, for which "how to" instructions will be provided and independent practicing will be needed. Prior competition experience as a competitor and/or official is strongly recommended since this person runs the matches.
- Ocean Science Judges Ensure that Moderators read the questions and answer choices accurately. When needed, help Moderator decide whether an answer is correct. Address scientific challenges. Sometimes review/correct questions in advance of competition. Serve as Moderators if moderators lose zoom access. Strong ocean sciences background required.
- Recognizers Control lockout buzzer software and verbally recognize who buzzes in. Requires very reliable internet connection and computer. Fast reactions are critical.
- Ocean Sciences Graders Grade/score teams' responses to team challenge questions in TCQ software https://osb.pmd.org and resolve scientific challenges. Requires strong ocean sciences/STEM background. Work periods are limited, but if folks can remain available via slack, then they will also help resolve any science challenges. A 30-min zoom video orientation/training on Sun 5/11 early evening (ET) or an alternate time shortly after 5/11 tbd (provide your availability as a Comment) is required.
- Rules Judges Take attendance and ensure consistent screen name usage. Maintain order in the competition rooms, enforce 2025 Virtual Finals Rules consistently, respond to challenges to the rules, and issue warnings. Also cross-train and serve as Scorekeepers and/or Timekeepers during the competition if needed. Past competition experience or legal background required.
- Scorekeepers Track and record the teams' scores throughout the game on a google spreadsheet that is shared (by Timekeepers) with teams within zoom. Obtain team captains' confirmation of final score and team winner in zoom chat. Check and submit final scores/scoresheet spreadsheet. Also cross-train and alternate as Rules Judges during the competition if possible.
- Timekeepers Mark the game time with an online clock and shared scoresheet that are selectively screen-shared with carefully sized and positioned scoresheet within zoom. Issue loud verbal warnings before time runs out.
- Proctors Administer Team Challenge Questions (TCQs) to a single team. Follow the script for the self-timed software. Proctors are also required to serve as zoom meeting host, for which "how to" instructions will be provided. No ocean sciences or STEM background is required. Proctoring generally takes place in addition to officiating/grading.
- Monitors Visually observe competitors in zoom to ensure that they are not consulting outside sources of information. Help rules judge enforce rules. If possible, cross-train as backup Timekeeper, Scorekeeper, Proctor, and/or Recognizer.
To prepare, all non-dedicated-Monitor volunteers MUST PARTICIPATE in scheduled orientation/training (1-hr, with option to view a recording) and practice (2.25 hrs) one to two weeks in advance so that they function without errors during this high-intensity, fast-paced competition. Unless you have officiated for the 2025 Virtual Sponge Bowl in the same role(s), you must participate in orientation (or watch a recording) and at least one practice session in order to familiarize yourself with the Finals rules and with the software AND to demonstrate your mastery of your role(s) in zoom.) New moderators must participate in two practice sessions.
If you volunteered virtually in the SAME role(s) for the 2025 Sponge Bowl, no additional orientation/practice time is required (unless you optionally decide to participate in practice session(s) to help new volunteers master their roles.)
*Only experienced volunteers and past competitors, and volunteers with legal backgrounds serve as rules judges, given the complexity of the rules and fast game pace.
**Only experienced volunteers and past competitors generally serve as moderators given the complexity of this role with added zoom hosting responsibilities. New moderators must demonstrate mastery of this role by the conclusion of their second practice sessions.
Learn more about the National Finals at https://www.nosb.org/2025-finals
WHERE
Virtual/Zoom
Note: We only shares zoom links, schedules, and other details with registered volunteers and teams since we cannot accommodate any observers/audience members or walk-ins, i.e., unregistered volunteers or teams.
WHY
Topics include the biology, chemistry, geology, physics, history, and economics of the ocean as well as ocean-related current events. For more background, visit NOSB's website.
Non-science-judge, non-science-grader volunteers need NO STEM/ocean knowledge, just keen attention to detail, positive attitudes toward all competitors and schools, ability to keep up with the fast pace of competition matches, which are played head-to-head in zoom meetings.
It takes 80+ volunteers to staff the competition rooms fully for 18 teams, recognizing students who buzz, keeping time, keeping score, proctoring Team Challenge Questions (TCQs), monitoring competitors, and judging rules* for round robin and single elimination rounds that precede the championship match. We also seek experienced Moderators (ideally professors and/or past competitors who have competed head-to-head) and Ocean Sciences Graders for the grading TCQs using our convenient online platform and resolving science challenges.
People Making a Difference (PMD) aims to strengthen the community, including STEM education, by engaging volunteers as officials and role models. PMD has hosted all virtual Blue Lobster Bowl (BLB; MA & ME), Bay Scallop Bowl (NY), Shore Bowl (NJ), Quahog Bowl (CT & RI), and Sponge Bowl (nation-wide) regional competitions "head-to-head" (and all prior in-person BLB competitions at MIT) for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), plus the virtual head-to-head 2023 & 2024 Maine High School Science Bowls for the National Science Bowl (NSB).
HOW
- Orientation-View recording BEFORE your practice session
- Orientation Tuesday 4/8, 7pm ET (4pm PT)
- Orientation Wednesday, 4/16, 5pm ET (2pm PT)
- Orientation Friday 4/25, 11am ET (8am PT)
- Practice: Schedule 1:1 Scorekeeper session asap - No practice required for Monitors
- Practices: Saturday 5/3, 9:30am, 12noon, 3pm ET (6:30am, 9am, 12noon PT)
- Practice: Sunday 5/4, 4pm ET (1pm PT)
- Practice: Monday 5/5, 3pm ET (12noon PT)
- Practices: Tuesday 5/6, 6pm, 8:15pm ET (3pm, 5:15pm PT)
- Practice: Friday 5/9, 3pm ET (12noon PT)
- Required for Ocean Sciences Graders Only: 30-min zoom VIDEO orientation/training on Sunday 5/11 5:00-5:30pm ET via doodle.
Potential NEW Moderators must participate in two (2) practice sessions and demonstrate mastery by the conclusion of the second session.
To officiate, apply ASAP at http://www.pmd.org/s/NosbFinals2025.htm
Incomplete submissions cannot be honored.
Current high school students canNOT volunteer for the 2025 virtual NOSB Finals competition.
We canNOT accept any UNregistered volunteers.
Participation is required for the entire competition on Saturday, but there will be staggered ending times for the single-elimination rounds on Sunday afternoon, plus a la carte TCQ sessions on Friday afternoon and late evening.
AFTER the 4/28 application deadline, interested volunteers can join the backup list.
Joining the PMD backup list means making a commitment to reserve the competition dates you select until the date you provide.
Call PMD if you cannot apply using our form.
If you experience any difficulty applying online to volunteer with PMD, please immediately CALL THE PMD OFFICE at
After you apply, you will see a confirmation screen and receive a confirmation email message, so be sure to save your competition dates times on your calendars AND add [email protected] AND [email protected] to your address/white/allow list.
By ~5/1 PMD will email role assignment(s), specific details, slack invitation (since slack is where all resource materials will be made available), etc.
WHO
The Center for Ocean Leadership at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), home of the National Office of theNational Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), will host the National Finals Competition as a virtual, head-to-head competition on Zoom with support from People Making a Difference (PMD), a NOSB Regional Host.The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), launched in 1998 during the Year of the Ocean to support and expand ocean sciences education, is a national academic competition for high school students on topics related to the study of the oceans. This high school competition provides a forum for talented students to test their knowledge of the marine sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and technology.
People Making a Difference (PMD) is a nonprofit organization that promotes informed and responsible volunteerism by involving people in tangible and virtual work that meets local needs and by assisting companies in building successful community involvement programs that:
- Produce appreciable results while conserving recipients' limited resources
- Educate volunteers about broader issues
- Bring people together to make a difference
"We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do."
-Sylvia Earle