Get Involved in Orca Bowl
Information for Volunteers
Orca Bowl would not be possible without the generous support and dedication of volunteers. Each year, over 80 people come together to run an exiting and dynamic competition that helps to engage and inspire high school students in the ocean sciences. Volunteers are essential – whether participating as a member of an Official’s Team, helping with event preparation throughout the year or providing general support during competition day.
Volunteer Roles
Competition Officials — Help to judge/facilitate the team competition rooms, serving as moderators, timekeepers, rules judges, scorekeepers, science judges and room runners. Competition officials are required to attend at least two trainings prior to the event, and be available for the entirety of the competition day. More information on responsibilities of these positions is available online.
General Support Volunteers — Help with event preparation leading up to the competition and with specific tasks (registration, set-up/clean-up, message-running, etc.) on the day of the event.
Enrichment Presenters — Help with lab tour, hands-on experiences and other enrichment activities throughout the competition day.
Team Mentors (for scientists only) — Help share your expertise with Orca Bowl teams prior to the competition. Contact us at orcabowl@uw.edu and we will try to connect you with a team who would benefit from your mentorship.
Question Writers — Help create scientific questions for the competition. Please review the question writing guidelines, and contact us for more information.
Important Details for Competition Volunteers
Mark your calendars! Orca Bowl takes place Feb. 23, 2013
All volunteer officials are required to attend at least two trainings prior to the competition. The 2013 training schedule will be determined by mid-October. Please check back soon for details.
Become an Orca Bowl Sponsor
By becoming an Orca Bowl Sponsor, you are encouraging and supporting the next generation of marine scientists, policy makers, teachers, explorers, researchers, technicians and informed citizens to consider and appreciate the ocean on a regional and global scale.
How you can help:
- Provide funds to assist with travel and lodging costs for teams and their coaches — teams travel from all over the state to participate).
- Help cover costs for meals for teams and volunteers — young minds at work need good, nourishing food to fuel them through the competition.
- Donate funds toward general event support — venue rental, printing, supplies, A/V rentals, etc.
- Donate study resources — marine-related textbooks, ocean science literature, etc. to support the months of preparation that teams engage in; or fun and relevant mementos that will be used for team prize bags — water bottles, tee-shirts, pens/pencils, key chains, etc. Each team that participates receives a prize bag for all of their efforts.
Sponsorship Levels
Super-Pod ($5000 and above)
- Large logo on sponsor board displayed during the competition at the University of Washington
- Recognition during welcome presentation
- Listed in Orca Bowl program
- Listed on Orca Bowl website
- Commemorative Orca Bowl thank you gift package
J-Pod ($1000-$5000)
- Logo on sponsor board displayed during the competition at the University of Washington
- Recognition during welcome presentation
- Listed in Orca Bowl program
- Listed on Orca Bowl website
- Commemorative Orca Bowl thank you gift package
K-Pod ($100-$1000)
- Listed on sponsor board displayed during the competition at the University of Washington
- Listed in Orca Bowl program
- Listed on Orca Bowl website
- Commemorative Orca Bowl thank you gift
L-Pod (up to $100)
- Listed in Orca Bowl program
- Listed on Orca Bowl website
- Commemorative Orca Bowl thank you gift
If you are interested in supporting Orca Bowl, please contact Maile Sullivan at 206.543.2822 or orcabowl@uw.edu
The UW Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Your donation to Orca Bowl is tax-deductible.
Thank you to our 2012 Sponsors!
2012 National Sponsors
2013 Regional Orca Bowl Sponsors
Super-Pod ($5,000 and above)
- Washington Sea Grant
- University of Washington School of Oceanography
- COSEE – Ocean Learning Communities http://www.coseeolc.net
J-Pod ($1,000 - $4,999)
- Foss Waterway Seaport
- Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean
- McGraw-Hill
- Ocean Peace, Inc.
- Pacific Science Center and One World One Ocean
- Seattle Aquarium
- Salish Seas Expeditions
- UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
K-Pod ($100 - $999)
- Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers
- Groundfish Forum
- Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators
- Sound Experience
- United Catcher Boats
- Discovery Kayaks
L-Pod (up to $100)
- Earth Art International
- Friday Harbor Laboratories
- Long Live the Kings
- Marine Science and Technology Center
- National Wildlife Federation
- NOAA, Alaska Fishery Sciences Center
- NOAA, Northwest Fishery Science Center
- NOAA, Northwest Regional Center
- Orca Network
- Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Taylor Shellfish
- The Whale Museum
- UW – Big Beef Creek Field Research Station
- UW – Seaglider Fabrication Center Laboratory
- UW – Argo Float Laboratory
- Woodland Park Zoo

