“Expanding participation in the NOSB is essential since it plays a critical role in cultivating future leaders in ocean science, management, and education – leaders responsible for ensuring these resources and the benefits they provide will be available for generations to come.” -Admiral James D. Watkins (Ret) Founder, National Ocean Sciences Bowl

Southern Stingray Bowl Rules Overview I.Scoring Rules II.Timing Rules III.Rules Regarding Challenges

Southern Stingray Bowl Rules Overview Scoring Rules

Three Types of Questions Toss Up (multiple choice) = 4 pts Bonus (usually short answer) = 6 pts Team Challenge Questions (TCQs) = 20 pts

Once a question is read by the moderator, the students can respond in three ways, they can either: Wait to be recognized by the moderator before answering Interrupt the reading of the question, be recognized, then answer. Blurt out the answer before being recognized. Types of Responses from Students

Scoring Matrix for Toss Ups CORRECTINCORRECT RECOGNIZED +4 pts 0 pts INTERRUPT +4 pts -4 pts BLURT 0 pts 0 pts

Southern Stingray Bowl Rules Overview Timing Rules

Competition Format Competition is made up of rounds One round consists of a: – 6 minute buzzer half – 2 team challenge questions – 6 minute buzzer half

Three Key Timing Rules 5 seconds = Time allotted for teams to buzz in and answer a tossup question 3 seconds = Time allotted for a team member to answer a tossup question once being verbally recognized by the moderator 20 seconds = Time allotted for a team to answer a bonus question

Rules for When Time Runs Out *Easy Rule to Remember: If the question is still in play when time runs out, the game continues.

Southern Stingray Bowl Rules Overview Rules Regarding Challenges

Types of Challenges 1.Challenges to the enforcement of the competition rules 2.Challenges to the scientific answer *Challenges must be made before the moderator begins the next question*

Example of a Rules Challenge Moderator asks a toss up question  Team A’s captain buzzes in  Moderator recognizes the captain  Captain looks at team member & confers before answering  Captain then answers Possible Outcomes: 1.Moderator does not accept Team A’s answer because there was conferring and question goes to other team. 2.Moderator says “that is correct” accepting Team A’s answer and is about to move on to the bonus question when Team B challenges.

If Team B’s challenge is accepted, what should the moderator do next?

ANSWER: Go to the 17th question pair and read that question to Team B. --When the moderator inadvertently gives out an answer, he or she needs to refer to the 17 th question pair provided for each round.--

Review of Rules #19 and #20 With multiple choice questions the answer may be the letter (w, X Y, Z), the scientific answer, or both (Rule 19). With the exception of articles, the answers to multiple choice questions must be exactly as those on the written page (Rule 20). **Short answer questions (bonus questions) must have the same meaning, but do not need to match exactly what is on the written page**

The answer is written on the page as: W. Sea urchin Examples of Acceptable Answers: 1. W. 2. Sea urchin 3. a sea urchin 4. W. Sea urchin 5. W. a sea urchin Examples of Unacceptable Answers: 1. X. 2. Urchin 3. an urchin 4. X. sea urchin 5. X. an urchin Review of Rules #19 and #20

Tossup Question: To what order do whales, dolphins, and porpoises belong? Answer W: Mammalia Answer X: Cetacean Answer Y: Chordata Answer Z: Reptilia Correct Answer: X Example of a Science Challenge

Possible Outcomes: 1.Reject the challenge and proceed to the bonus question for Team B. 2.Decide question is poorly worded and that both answers could be correct. Throw the question out and proceed to the next toss up question. ** The extra 17th question should NOT be used to replace a bad question, it is only used when a moderator makes a mistake.**

Any questions? Let’s Play!!!

Christine Hodgdon NOSB Program Specialist National Ocean Sciences Bowl