Over 1200 students and coaches from 240 schools participated in the 1999 National Ocean Sciences Bowl. The Ocean Sciences Bowl is a tournament-style academic competition. The national competition is similar to the regional competitions, with one exception. This type of question is more difficult, uses graphics, and has a greater point value. As a result of the greater complexity, teams are given more time and may collaborate as a group.
Participants form teams of four high school students, one alternate and a coach.
All teams are provided with a resource guide, competition rules and sample questions to assist in their preparation for the bowl. These teams practice to compete in rapid-fire, question and answer games. The subject areas of emphasis include biology, chemistry, geology, physics, history, and economics of the world's oceans, as well as navigation, geography and ocean-related current events.