Thursday, February 09, 2017

The 2017 North Carolina Blue Heron Bowl will be held on the UNCW campus Feb. 17 and 18.

Thirteen teams of high school students from around the state and a guest team from Tennessee will compete in the regional marine science quiz bowl for a chance to represent North Carolina at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl in April. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of NOSB.

The Center for Marine Science and the Watson College of Education are hosting the two-day event with support from faculty, staff and students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Community members provide volunteer support. As the state’s coastal university, UNCW’s dedication to community engagement serves as the foundation for its Strategic Plan.

“UNCW has continually supported the Blue Heron Bowl over the years, even when it was hosted at our sister institutions,” said Sue Kezios, director of youth programs and this year’s logistics coordinator. “By hosting it this year and again in 2018, UNCW demonstrates our commitment to outreach and providing academic opportunities for K-12 youth.”

A dinner for the teams will be held Friday evening at the CMS. UNCW lecturer of geology Roger Shew will speak on “blue energy,” the theme of this year's competition. He will share information related to the state of coastal alternative energy initiatives involving wind, natural gas and other forms. Select labs will also be open for an evening tour of the facility.

The competition begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will last until approximately 6 p.m. in UNCW’s Education Building. Consolation activities in the afternoon for the eliminated teams include tours of the aquaculture facility at Wrightsville Beach, the microscopy facility in Dobo Hall and plastic ocean upcycling art activities.

-- Caroline Cropp

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