For Individual Volunteers, NOT Groups
Officiate for the virtual Sponge Bowl competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB)
WHEN
- Saturday 3/21/2026, Sat 9:25am-5pm (Sun 12-5pm has enough officials)
-
Sign up by 3/16/2026
~9 volunteers are still needed.
WHAT
This fast-paced question-and-answer competition on marine sciences will pit teams in an academic quiz bowl format. 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).
While no ocean sciences knowledge is required to serve as a recognizer, timekeeper, scorekeeper, proctor, or monitor, a positive and supportive attitude and attention to detail are very important for all roles.
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 only ~9:25-9:45, 10:15am+, and 1:30+pm, but 30-min zoom video orientation/training on Sun 3/15 evening (~6pm) is required.
- Rules Judges Take attendance and ensure consistent screen name usage. Maintain order in the competition rooms, enforce rules, respond to challenges to the rules, and issue warnings. Also cross-train and serve as Scorekeepers and/or Timekeepers during the competition day 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 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 day if possible.
- Timekeepers Mark the game time with an online clock and shared scoresheet that are selectively screen-shared with scoresheet within zoom. Issue loud verbal warnings before time runs out.
- Proctors Administer Team Challenge Questions (TCQs) to a 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.
- Monitors Visually observe competitors in zoom to ensure that they are not consulting outside sources of information. Help rules judge or proctor enforce rules. If possible, cross-train as backup Timekeeper, Scorekeeper, Proctor, and/or Recognizer.
To prepare, all volunteers MUST
- View an orientation video or slides independently
- Participate in role tutorial independently prior to their practice session, and
- Actively participate in a 2.25-hr practice session to develop competency and mastery.
so that they function without errors during this high-intensity competition. (Even if you have volunteered for or participated in NOSB or another quiz bowl in the past, you must prepare in order to familiarize yourself with the rules & software and to demonstrate your mastery of these roles in zoom.)
$Monitors are not required to participate in practice sessions.
Ocean Sciences Graders must only complete #1 in addition to their Sunday 3/1 video training at 6pm or later.
New Sponge Bowl Moderators must participate in a SECOND, additional practice session to demonstrate mastery.
*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. We encourage past competitors to aspire to this volunteer level and as ocean sciences graders. Moderators must demonstrate mastery of this role by the conclusion of their final practice sessions.
Learn more about the Sponge Bowl at https://www.pmd.org/project/?id=1071
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
This virtual competition will provide competitors with fun opportunities to test their knowledge and understanding of ocean sciences much like in-person head-to-head matches.
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.
Each volunteer will receive free swag (a buff with a sponge pictured) mailed in advance, so it can be worn while visibly officiating.
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 90+ volunteers to staff 12 competition rooms fully for 24 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 trophy rounds. We also need experienced Moderators (ideally professors and/or past competitors) 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), Bay Scallop Bowl (NY), Shore Bowl (NJ), Quahog Bowl (CT & RI), and Sponge Bowl regional competitions, plus the 2025 Finals, "head-to-head" (and all prior in-person BLB competitions at MIT) for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), also founded by Admiral James D. Watkins seven years after he founded the National Science Bowl (NSB).
HOW
- Sunday 3/1, 12noon & 3pm
- Tuesday 3/3, 8:30pm
- Wednesday 3/4, 6pm & 8:30pm
- Thursday 3/5, 12noon
- Tuesday 3/10, 6pm
- Wednesday 3/11, 8:30pm
- Thursday 3/12, 3pm
- Required for Ocean Sciences Graders Only: 30-min zoom VIDEO orientation/training on Sunday 3/15 evening ~6pm, time tbd via doodle.
To officiate, ASAP at https://pmd.org/s/SBvolunteer2026.htm
Incomplete submissions cannot be honored.
We canNOT accept any UNregistered volunteers.
Participation is required for the entire competition on Saturday. If we have enough teams, then Saturday will conclude at ~4:30pm and elimination rounds will take place on Sunday afternoon. (We will know by 1/24 - If we don't have many teams, then everything will be crammed into one, long Saturday with no elimination rounds on Sunday.
AFTER the application deadline, interested volunteers can join the backup list, since we anticipate cancellations due to illnesses.
Joining the PMD backup list means making a commitment to reserve the morning and training-practice session 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 first- and second-choice practice dates/times and competition dates and ending times on your calendars AND add [email protected] AND [email protected] to your address/white/allow list.
Assume your first-choice practice session unless notified otherwise on 2/27 when PMD will email you specific details like your assigned role(s), what to expect, checklist, slack invitation, important links/downloads, etc.
WHO
22 teams of students from high schools without in-person regional bowls nearby will compete virtually for the championship. These motivated and curious young people and their teachers/coaches are interested in and knowledgeable about the natural world.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 tangible 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