By Gabriela Shinskie
This month, the Southern Miss Marine Education Center (MEC) hosted the Central Gulf Coast Regional Hurricane Bowl. Fifty-five high school students from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida participated in this exciting event. The winning teams will move on to compete in the National Ocean Science Bowl’s virtual finals in May.
Since it started in 1998, the Hurricane Bowl aims to ignite interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Samantha Capers, the MEC’s associate director of Informal Education, emphasized that this competition showcases young talent in science who are eager to make a difference.
“Hosting the competition at the MEC lets us highlight the innovative research and academic excellence at The University of Southern Mississippi. We look forward to seeing how this event grows and inspires future ocean scientists,” said Capers.
This year, 11 teams competed, answering challenging questions on marine policy, chemistry, geography, technology, and geology. The teams that stood out included:
- First Place: Navarre Beach High School Team A
- Second Place: Navarre Beach Science Station Team A
- Third Place: Northshore High School Team A
- Sportsmanship Award: Navarre Beach Science Station Team B
Lacy Lindsey, a marine education project specialist at MEC, highlighted the importance of participation in the Hurricane Bowl. She believes it opens doors for students interested in science careers.
“What I love most is seeing the students’ enthusiasm and teamwork. It’s inspiring to watch them showcase their knowledge and passion for ocean sciences. I hope this experience encourages them to pursue careers in marine science, environmental policy, or other STEM fields. For many, this competition could be the first step toward exciting opportunities,” Lindsey shared.
The MEC’s Hurricane Bowl is one of 24 regional competitions across the country. Each bowl gives students a chance to dive deeper into ocean science and possibly shape their future careers.
