The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) is a national, high-school science competition managed by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL) which started in the 1970s (formerly the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education). It uses a quiz-bowl format, with lockout buzzers and extended team challenge questions to test students on their knowledge of oceanography. This includes the subjects of biology, chemistry, geology, geography, social science, technology, and physics. The annual competition was started in 1998, the International Year of the Ocean. The current director of NOSB is Kristen Yarincik, who is based out of Washington, DC. Currently there are 25 regions in the U.S. that compete in the NOSB, each with their own regional competitions. The regional competitions are coord