EDUCATION and HUMAN RESOURCES

Strategic Goal 8: Design and implement formal educational programs that foster a more scientifically and environmentally informed population.

The Consortium’s efforts in formal and informal marine education programming represent an overall commitment to provide information to coastal constituents, both public and private, concerning sustained use, conservation, and management of coastal and marine resources. A well-informed constituency has proven to be essential for balanced coastal and marine resource management and economic growth.

Linking information “generators” with information “consumers” through feedback mechanisms ensures the timely delivery of research information to a variety of user groups. These interactions manifest themselves in several ways. Contacts with formal education systems is focused on encouraging the use of marine, coastal, and natural resources information in the classroom through teacher training programs and school curricula development. Sea Grant Extension Program efforts directed to specific user groups involve the development and delivery of publications, workshops, and booklets, and direct contact. Informal education and awareness efforts are also developed for the general public; vehicles for information transfer include brochures, slide shows, group presentations, media interaction, and others.

The marine education program at the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium has undergone considerable metamorphosis during the last two decades. In the 1980s, efforts focused on development of information products targeted at the general public and K-12 teachers. Educational products were generated through contracts with some of South Carolina's leading marine science educators. In the early 1990's these early efforts served as the foundation for development of marine science educational programs and the first funded Consortium biennial proposals for education. These programs have continued since 1992, and have spawned numerous additional products and projects available to all educators.

To achieve this strategic goal, the Consortium’s objectives are to:

1. Improve the capability and opportunity of teachers to deliver marine science education to South Carolina elementary, middle, and high school students.

2. Support the development of model curricula and projects that are inquiry based, interdisciplinary, and adhere to the state science standards.

3. Provide South Carolina K-12 pre-service and in-service teachers with the professional development needed to effectively improve their students’ understanding and stewardship of the coastal and marine environment.

FY06-08 Priorities

In addition to outreach/educational priorities listed within the other Program Areas, the Consortium is seeking Concept Letters on projects that address the following:

• Development, integration and evaluation of novel, standards-based, marine and coastal resource education and training programs into South Carolina K-12 curricula.

• Development and testing of recruitment strategies which successfully invite minority in-service and/or pre-service teachers and teachers to participate in field-based professional development programs.

• Development, implementation and evaluation of marine and coastal resource education programs using innovative approaches targeted at “at-risk” youth, informal youth groups and/or adult audiences.

 

Strategic Goal 9