Wednesday, March 7, 2007 On Saturday, February 24, students from Vancouver's ExCEL Academic League homeschool battled their way to a First Place win at the 10th annual Washington State Ocean Sciences Bowl, or Orca Bowl. Held on the University of Washington's Seattle campus, this Jeopardy-style academic competition attracted a total of 16 teams from across the state. The ExCEL homeschoolers proved outstanding in a round-robin series of challenges with the other teams, answering tough, rapid-fire questions about the biology, chemistry, geology, physics, history and economics of the ocean. The team consisted of Kyle Crockford, Drew Goss, B.J. Schlecht, Kirsten Williams and Rebekah Altig. The students were coached by Ann Williams and Pamela Crockford. As statewide champions, the ExCEL team have earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Stony Brook, New York, and the chance to compete in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl competition, held April 28-30, 2007. "The University of Washington and the other sponsors of the Orca Bowl did an excellent job of running the competition," said coach Ann Williams. "Our team is thankful for the opportunity to compete and, now, to represent Washington at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl." The Orca Bowl is part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl program, presented in cooperation with the University of Washington's College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, with support from the Seattle Aquarium, Kenmore Air, University Bookstore, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington Sea Grant and many other agencies and businesses. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is a program of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research & Education (CORE), based in Washington, DC. Approximately 2,000 students from over 400 high schools participated in regional competitions this year. Through this educational forum, the NOSB strives to encourage and support the next generation of marine scientists, policy makers, teachers, explorers, researchers, technicians, environmental advocates and informed citizens. Full Story |
