Ms. Copello’s National Ocean Science Bowl team is gearing up for the Regional Competition that quizzes students on science questions related to the theme of the Science Bowl. This year’s theme is the “Science of Oil in the Ocean.” A mock competition is going to be held Monday, February 2^nd in Ms. Copello’s room from 1:45 to roughly 2:45. The actual competition will be held Saturday, February 7^th at USF’s St. Pete Campus.

This will be Osceola Fundamental High School’s third year participating in the competition. Ms. Copello explained that the mock competitions in her classroom are a “great way to practice for the real thing.” Students go up against other teachers who teach science. A real buzzer is even used for these mock competitions. The Science Bowl can quiz competitors in the multiple fields of science, but the ocean topic doesn’t just quiz the biology. It can even range from the physics involved to the current events surrounding the ocean itself. Ms. Copello’s team is made of “four regular and one alternate member” in case one of regular members becomes unavailable.

The Science Bowl doesn’t just occur here. St. Petersburg is the location of the Spoon Bill Bowl. Another bowl known as the Manatee Bowl is taking place in Miami. Ms. Copello states that competing in such a competition is “important to showcase knowledge.” The questions for the Science Bowl can range from multiple choice answers to short answer questions. These questions are either being asked on a high school or college graduate level. The students that make up Ms. Copello’s team are Colleen Aitkin, 12^th grade, and this is her second year competing. The rest of the team members are all first timers, and include Cassandra Bayes, 12^th grade, Selena Tucker, 12^th grade, Alajandro Lense, 12^th grade, and alternate team member Clayton Gordon, 9^th grade.