Compete in the 2026 virtual Sponge Bowl!
WHEN
- Saturday 3/21/2026 - Sunday 3/22/2026, all teams all Saturday&elim rnds SundayAfternoonET
-
Sign up by 1/23/2026
WHAT
Fun and engaging virtual, head-to-head ocean sciences competition for teams of high school students living in states without National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) regional bowls taking place in 2026. This bowl will feature a keynote address by NOSB-Blue-Lobster-Bowl alumnus Dr. Paul Ernst, an early career oceanographer working for the Marine Species Modeling Team at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. He earned his doctorate in oceanography from the University of South Carolina and bachelor's in oceanography from the University of Delaware. He will discuss his Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship from the Department of Defense, his journey to this point in his career, the importance of storytelling in his research, and the experience of working for the military as a scientist.
The Sponge Bowl is hosted by People Making a Difference (PMD), host of the 2025 virtual Sponge Bowl, long-time host of the Blue Lobster Bowl (MA+), 2024 Bay Scallop (NY) & Shore (NJ) Bowls, and 2021 & 2022 Quahog Bowl (CT&RI), as well as the 2023, 2024 & 2026 Maine High School Science Bowls and 2023 Alumni Ocean Sciences Invitational (AOSI).
WHERE
Virtual/Zoom
Note: We only share zoom links, schedules, and other details with registered teams and volunteers via google sheets since we cannot accommodate any observers/audience members or walk-ins, i.e., unregistered teams or volunteers.
WHY
The NOSB's focus on ocean science education is important. Humans rely on a healthy ocean for oxygen, resources, jobs, and more. Our future leaders must be knowledgeable about ocean issues.
The ocean is an ideal interdisciplinary teaching tool for science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) that puts study in a real-world context. Working in the ocean environment poses challenges that push the innovation, engineering, and technology development needed in our workforce. However, ocean science is not a course generally offered at the high school level. The NOSB is one of the only ways students gain exposure to all of ocean science and related careers as they are beginning to chart their course in life.
Science bowls provide high school students with exciting opportunities to test their knowledge and understanding and to practice working together as a team to solve problems.
The 2026 virtual Sponge Bowl is being held to provide competition opportunities for high school students without nearby regional bowls.
National Ocean Scholar Program
As part of the NOSB's continuing effort to recognize individual achievement, NOSB offers the National Ocean Scholar Program, awarding scholarships for tuition assistance to NOSB students who have an interest in pursuing an ocean or environmental science major in their first year of post-high school education. All applicants for this scholarship program must have competed in a regional NOSB competition (or a Sponge Bowl) at least once during their high school careers.
Learn about additional criteria and deadline at https://nosb.org/scholarships
HOW
To apply to compete in this 2026 virtual bowl, coaches must complete a separate Team Intent Form for each one of a high school's A and (optional) B teams. One form and the $60 registration fee per team must be emailed/POSTMARKED by Friday, January 23, 2026. Make checks payable to "People Making a Difference," and send one check per team with form(s) to
Lori Tsuruda/PMD
P.O. Box 120189
Boston, MA 02112-0189
OR use PayPal to send payment to [email protected], specifying school name, complete school address, and team A or B.
Unfortunately, as of 1/1/26, we can no longer accept payments using credit cards.
Accounts payable offices can download PMD's Form W-9 if they need it.
Multiple teams from the same school can combine their forms inside one envelope, but we encourage you to use separate checks/transactions/payments for each team in case of wait-listing. Hardcopy forms and check payments must be postmarked no later than 1/23/2026.
We strongly encourage coaches to email a scan of their Team Intent form to to Ltsuruda at gmail dot com in case there are postal delays, regardless of payment method.
If we have more interested teams than we can accommodate, we will accept one team (the "A Team") from every school that has applied. If sufficient space remains, we will then accept all secondary teams ("B Teams"). If we cannot accommodate all of the teams in a class (A or B), we will determine competing schools from that class by random drawing of teams whose completed intent forms and payments are postmarked by 1/23/2026.
Coaches will be notified of their respective teams' statuses (competing or wait-listed** to compete in case there are cancellations) via email by January 30, 2026.
By 1/30/2026 at the latest, coaches will also receive the PDF forms and data entry (google form) link for registrations and consents due by 11:59pm ET on 2/13/2026 online and via email.
**We strongly encourage coaches of waitlisted teams to register students online and for coaches and parents/guardians to complete their online consents also by the deadline, and to prepare to compete fully in case there are last-minute cancellations.
Registration Summary
1. Coach submits a completed Sponge Bowl Team Intent form AND $60/team registration fee, emailed and postmarked by 1/23/2026.
2. Regional Coordinator notifies the coaches of accepted and wait-listed teams and provides student and coach PDF forms and data entry links by 1/30/2026.
3. Coach emails zipped, completed consents for each team member, (optional)assistant coach, and self into one file for their team by 2/13/2026 to Ltsuruda at gmail dot com AND enters required data online in NOSB's google form.
COST
$60 registration fee per team paid by check* payable to "People Making a Difference" must be sent to PMD, P.O. Box 120189, Boston, MA 02112-0189, postmarked by Friday 1/23/2026. Specify team A or B. If using a personal check, please specify the school name AND team A or B.
*Alternatively, payment can be made via PayPal to [email protected] (Remember to provide your school name, complete address, and team A or B!)
OR via credit card by sending the completed form (page 3 of Team Intent Form PDF) by 1/23/2026. Credit card receipts will automatically be emailed to the email address entered on the form.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
Coaches of teams that must cancel their participation should do so as soon as possible by emailing Ltsuruda at gmail dot com. If a coach cancels their team's participation by 1/23/2026, their team's registration fee will be refunded minus $6 for fees & handling. No registration fee refunds can be made after 1/23/26, if a coach fails to complete the required online registrations and consents and provide the zipped and completed forms for all students and coaches by 2/13/26, and/or any team member does not participate in all of their 3/21&22/26 assigned competition matches.
RESOURCES
- 2026 Virtual Sponge Bowl Rules-updated 10/8/25
- Forming a Team
- Sample Questions & Study Resources-updated 10/15/24
Zoom Office Hours, 4-5pm ET
Coaches are invited to have their questions answered during zoom office hours, 4-5pm ET on Thursday 10/23, Fridays 11/14 & 11/21 and 2026 dates before 2/13 tba. Zoom link is at bottom of the first page of the Team Intent Form.
If unavailable during office hours, coaches should call PMD's office at *82,1-781-963-0373 and provide their upcoming availability and preferred contact method.
WHO
The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) is an academic competition and program that addresses a national gap in environmental and earth sciences in public education by introducing high school students to and engaging them in ocean science, preparing them for ocean science-related and other STEM careers, and helping them become knowledgeable citizens and environmental stewards.Pre-pandemic, about 2,000 high school students on 350 teams compete in 25 high school regional events.
The Virtual Sponge Bowl regional competition for high school students without nearby regional bowls tests their knowledge of the marine sciences including biology, chemistry, physics, and geology as well as enhances public understanding and stewardship of the oceans.
High school teams of four to five students and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach, compete in fast-paced, head-to-head question-and-answer matches using a lock-out buzzer system. Teams also work together to solve longer Team Challenge Questions (TCQs).
Any public, private, or parochial high school or sanctioned home school that (NEW in 2026) practices together* for at least one month is welcome to form a team of students in grades 9 through 12 to compete in the 2026 virtual Sponge Bowl in zoom all Saturday March 21, 2026, and for qualifying teams on Sunday March 22, 2026, afternoon (Eastern Time).
Competing students must be less than 20 years old on 3/21/2026 or receive a special waiver from the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB).
Cost: $60/team
All participants will receive swag sent to their coaches after the competition takes place.
The winning team and runner-up team of the virtual Sponge Bowl competition will earn trophies.
IF an NOSB National Finals competition takes place in 2026, the Sponge Bowl championship team will qualify to compete in it.
*This new requirement has been added since students who do not practice together are at too much of disadvantage when competing against students who regularly confer and discuss bonus and Team Challenge Questions (TCQs) when answering.
Teams Registered to Compete: alphabetically, as of 3/20
- Arcadia High School A & B (CA)
- Falmouth High School A & B (ME)
- Friday Harbor High School (WA)
- La Quinta High School (CA)
- Livingston High School (NJ)
- Marine Academy of Science & Technology (MAST) A & B (NJ)
- Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) A & B (NJ)
- Midwood High School A & B (NY)
- Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology A & B (GA)
- San Pedro High School (CA)
- Santa Monica High School (CA)
- Spring Hill High School (SC)
- Temple City High School (CA)
- University High School (CA)
- Urban Suburban Science Team (NY)
- West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (NJ)
People Making a Difference (PMD) is a nonprofit organization that promotes informed and responsible volunteerism by involving people in mostly tangible, hands-on tasks and science bowls that meet local needs and by assisting companies and charities 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
"Be an information sponge. Absorb the knowledge. Soak in the insight!"
Futurist Jim Carroll
"SpongeBob lives at the bottom of the sea, but he brings a lot of great stuff to the surface..... I do think that the attitude of the show is about tolerance. Everybody is different, and the show embraces that. The character SpongeBob is an oddball. He's kind of weird, but he's kind of special."
Stephen Hillenburg