WHAT: Eighteen local high schools will compete in the 11th annual Los Angeles “Surf Bowl,” a regional ocean sciences contest to be held on Saturday, March 6, at the University of Southern California. USC’s Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., co-host the academic competition.

In a timed game-show format, four-student teams must answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions in four main disciplines of ocean sciences: biology, chemistry, geology and the physical properties of the marine/coastal environment. Students will also be tested in social sciences, geography and technology pertaining to marine science.

The winning student team will compete against 24 other regional champions at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, Fla., April 23 through 25. About 2,000 students from more than 400 high schools nationwide participate in this academic competition. The theme for this year’s competition is “Technology.”

The competition was developed to foster the next generation of marine scientists, researchers and environmental advocates. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is a program of the nonprofit Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education, based in Washington, D.C.

WHO: Students from 18 local high schools (see list on second page).

WHEN: Saturday, March 6, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Final matches begin at about 4:30 p.m. The awards presentation begins around 5 p.m.

WHERE: University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Taper Hall, first floor. 3501 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, Calif. 90089. Enter campus through Gate 3 on Figueroa Street. Parking is free in Parking Structure X with valid press credentials.

High Schools Competing in Los Angeles “Surf Bowl”:

  • Animo Leadership Charter High School, Inglewood
  • Arcadia High School, Arcadia
  • Beverly Hills High School, Beverly Hills
  • Channel Islands High School, Oxnard
  • College Ready Academy High School #7, Los Angeles
  • Culver City High School, Culver City
  • Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Bar
  • El Camino Real High School, Woodland Hills
  • Granada Hills Charter High School, Granada Hills
  • Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach
  • North Hollywood High School, North Hollywood
  • Palos Verdes High School, Palos Verdes Estates
  • Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills Estates
  • Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica
  • Troy High School, Fullerton
  • University High School, Irvine
  • Wilson High School, Long Beach
  • Woodbridge High School, Irvine

For more information about the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, visit: http://www.nosb.org .

For more information about JPL, visit: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov .

For more information and a map of the University of Southern California, visit: http://www.usc.edu .