The Florida Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE Florida) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Ocean 180 Video Challenge, with two of the top entries highlighting marine mammal research. The winning video abstracts were selected by over 37,000 middle school student judges from 1,630 classrooms across 21 countries. Student judges were given the task of evaluating each of the 10 Ocean 180 finalists and submitting their votes for the entries they felt best explained the results and significance of the scientists' research. A $9,000 cash prize package will be awarded to the top 4 teams to honor their work in communicating science to the public, with two video abstracts awarded first place prizes. These two winners were named the top entry in their submission category, with Category 1 reserved for entries created by amateur teams and Category 2 for those teams with professional film making assistance All scientists submitting to Ocean 180 were challenged to create 3 minute video abstracts which communicated the findings and significance of published ocean science research to general audiences. All video abstracts are related to a scientific paper that the submitting scientist has published within the past five years. To view the winning video abstracts, please visit: http://ocean180.org/2015-challenge/2015-winners.html Please join us in congratulating the scientists and teams behind the top entries! 1st Place (Category 1) Drones at the Beach<http://ocean180.org/2015-challenge/2015-finalists/drones-at-the-beach.html> Patrick Rynne, University of Miami Fiona Graham, University of Miami/ Waterlust Ronald Brouwer, Ad Reniers, and Matthieu de Schipper, Delft University Jamie MacMahan, Naval Postgraduate School Laura Bracken, University of Miami/ CARTHE 1st Place (Category 2) Dolphin Research Center Blindfold Imitation Study<http://ocean180.org/2015-challenge/2015-finalists/dolphin-research-center-blindfold-imitation-study.html> Kelly Jaakkola, Emily Guarino, Mandy Rodriguez, and the Visual Communication Staff, Dolphin Research Center 2nd Place Overall How to Treat a Bruised Flipper: Developing Pain Medications for Dolphins<http://ocean180.org/2015-challenge/2015-finalists/how-to-treat-a-bruised-flipper-developing-pain-medications-for-dolphins.html> Claire Simeone, The Marine Mammal Center 3rd Place Overall Rescuing the Gentle Giants<http://ocean180.org/2015-challenge/2015-finalists/rescuing-the-gentle-giants.html> Charles Waters, University of Auckland, Institute of Marine Science Scott Ewing Richard Story, Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources Mark J. Costello, University of Auckland All are welcome to join the Ocean 180 Student-Scientist Summit on Thursday March 26th from noon - 1:00 pm (EST). Scientists behind the top entries will be on hand to respond to questions from student judges. Attendance is free. Reserve your seat now at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7363249416277305345 A press release announcing the winners is available at http://ocean180.org/images/banners/PDF/PR_2015_Winners.pdf Mallory Watson COSEE Florida Scientist Florida Institute of Technology 150 W University Blvd Melbourne, FL 32901 Twitter: @Ocean180Video Email: mwatson@fit.edu