The National Ocean Science Bowl (NOSB) is an ocean science academic competition for high school students. The first NOSB competition was conducted in 1998 to celebrate the International Year of the Ocean and to stimulate students' interest in the ocean sciences. The Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL) manages this program. COL is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization that represents leading public and private ocean research and education institutions.

High schools across the country organize teams of five students (four competitors and one alternate) who participate in twenty-five regional competitions in late winter. Winners of regional competitions move on to a national competition later in the spring. This event sparks students' interest in marine sciences and in marine science careers, fosters team-based camaraderie and fun with science, and brings local and national recognition to the competing schools. In addition, students who compete in regional and national NOSB competitions receive thousands of dollars in scholarship funds each year. NOSB awards also include trips to marine research facilities, oceanographic institutions, and aquaria around the country, as well as scientific equipment and textbooks.

Every third year, the University of Maine coordinates the Nor'Easter Bowl, which is the Northeast regional NOSB competition. Maine Sea Grant and the UMaine School of Marine Sciences share this responsibility with the University of New Hampshire, and the University of New England in alternate years. 

2013 Nor'Easter Bowl: this year's competition was hosted by the University of New England on February 23, 2013.

2014 Nor'Easter Bowl: Date TBA, February 2014, hosted by the University of New Hampshire.

2015 Nor'Easter Bowl: Date TBA, February 2015, hosted by the University of Maine.

For more information about the national NOSB competition or other regional competitions, please visit the NOSB Web site.