Moderator

The Moderator is THE person responsible for controlling each match. It is important that you are familiar with how the game is played and all of the contest rules. It is, therefore, extremely important that you review the rules well in advance of the actual event.

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is primarily an oral competition in which two student teams attempt to answer toss-up and bonus questions. Each competition round is divided into two 8-minute halves with a two-minute break.

1. The first half begins as soon as the Moderator begins the first toss-up question. The Moderator identifies: (1) whether it is a toss-up or bonus question, (2) the subject area and (3) whether it is multiple choice or short answer, before reading the question. If a contestant elects to answer the toss-up question, he/she activates the lock-out system (an electronic device which "locks out" all other contestants and identifies the student who wishes to answer the toss-up question). You then verbally recognize the student. Should the student answer the toss-up question correctly, the student's team receives 4 points and is awarded a bonus question. A correct answer to the bonus questions results in the team receiving an additional 10 points. Play then continues by reading the next tossup question to the two teams.
   
   
2. As a toss-up question is read, a student may interrupt the reading of the question. If you verbally recognize the student and he/she answers correctly, that team is awarded 4 points, and the team wins the right to answer a bonus question. If the student interrupts the question, is verbally recognized, but answers the toss-up question incorrectly, 4 points are deducted from the score of the student's team and the question is re-read in its in its entirety to the opposing team. That team may answer the toss-up question for a chance at the bonus.
   
   
3. A student MUST wait to be verbally recognized by the Moderator before beginning to answer the toss-up questions. If a student answers a toss-up before being verbally recognized, the response is ignored (i.e., you should not reveal whether the answer was correct or incorrect) and the toss-up question is offered to the opposing team. This rule is necessary to avoid situations where two team members think they have activated the lock-out system and blurt out simultaneous answers.
   
   
4. The game is over when the second half ends or 25 toss-up questions have been read. The winning team is the one with the greater point total.
   
   
5. Before going to the next round, fill out the official score sheet and ensure that both team captains initial it before departing. Return the official score sheet, the score sheets used by the scorekeeper, and the used questions packets to Ocean Bowl Central.
   
   
6. You will be provided with the questions for your games well in advance of the actual event. It is important that you read all the questions aloud before the competition to (1) help ensure that you read the questions smoothly and (2) allow you to make certain of all pronunciations of scientific terms.
   
   

Read Important Rules Section