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COSEE SE and GEAR UP Coastal Legacy Program for Middle School Teachers Information and Application

Penn Center, St. Helena Island, SC on June 17–23, 2006
Application Deadline: April 8, 2006

DESCRIPTION

The Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence-SouthEast (COSEE-SE) partners with the South Carolina Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (SC GEAR UP) to offer the 2006 Coastal Legacy Program for NC, SC, and GA middle level teachers at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, SC on June 17-23, 2006.

The Coastal Legacy program highlights the rich cultural history of the Southeast’s coast, barrier islands and sea Islands. In this week-long investigation, teachers will explore teaching strategies of “culturalized science” which applies coastal culture, history, and heritage to earth, environmental, and physical science and mathematical concepts. Participants will investigate barrier island ecosystems, impact of hurricanes, geography, and physical factors, such as tides in the southeast region.

Exciting educational resources and lessons, access to scientists and community leaders, and field based experiences are key components in this week-long workshop. During this time, participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of resources available from GEAR UP, COSEE-SE, the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, Caw Caw Interpretive Center – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Gullah-Geechee Sea Island Coalition.

Successful completion of the entire Coastal Legacy programs consists of the following criteria:

1. Full participation in the June 17-June 23, 2006 Coastal Legacy residential workshop.
   
2. Development of a learning portfolio to demonstrate how coastal culture, specifically the AfricanAmerican Gullah/Geechee culture, can be integrated into science curricula. This portfolio will include a teaching plan for integrating the Coastal Legacy experience into their classroom. This plan must be submitted prior to December 2006 and implemented during the 2006-2007 school year.
   
3. Full participation in all evaluation protocols.
   
4. Implementation of the Coastal Legacy Traveling Basket into a science unit.

COASTAL LEGACY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Increased awareness and appreciation of contributions of the Gullah/Geechee coastal culture extending from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville, Fl.

1. Increased participation of people from traditionally underrepresented and underserved groups in the coastal and ocean science careers.
   
2. Implementation and/or development of high quality, relevant “culturalized” science lessons and resources which result in greater student success in precollege and undergraduate science courses.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

This intensive week-long program consists of interactions with research scientists on coastal science, demonstrations of hands-on “culturalized science” activities, and field investigations. All activities are based on the National Science Education Standards and Ocean Literacy Essential Principles

The major topics to be addressed include:

1. Southeastern geography in regard to watersheds, islands and marshes
2. Coastal plantation products such Indigo and rice:
      • Chemistry and art of Indigo dyes
3. Physical oceanography:
   a. Tides and coastal effects of the Earth/Moon/Sun System
   b. Ocean Currents and Coriolis Effect, in regard to the “Middle Passage” voyages
4. Coastal ecosystem: barrier island, wetland, and rice impoundment habitats
5. Atmospheric science: Trade winds and hurricanes
6. Changes in coastal ecosystem and coastal management

The science of Coastal Legacy integrate aspects from Social Studies, including Gullah/Geechee folklore, West African history of enslavement, the rice industry, the Indigo dye industry, and crafts used in the rice industry, such as sweetgrass basket making.

COASTAL LEGACY TEAM

Elizabeth Rogers, COSEE SE Curriculum Specialist
Angela Enlow, SC GEAR UP Manager
Blondelle Tolliver, Coastal Legacy Facilitator
Lundie Spence, Ph.D., COSEE SE Director

ABOUT COSEE-SE and GEAR UP

COSEE-SE ( http://www.scseagrant.org/se-cosee/)
Our regional COSEE, the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence –SouthEast, represents NC, SC, and GA, and is part of a network of 10 national centers which is funded through the National Science Foundation. Visit COSEE-SE web site at for more information

SC GEAR UP ( http://www.che.sc.gov/StudentServices/GEARUPhm.htm)
The South Carolina GEAR UP program (SCGU) is part of a national grant program to support early college preparation and awareness activities for rural and low-income students. SCGU works with teachers and students beginning in the seventh grade to produce positive, long-term, and systemic effects on low-income student participation in postsecondary education. It provides direct services to twenty two middle schools, both rural and low-income, in the Pee Dee region of SC to give students the skills and support they need to prepare for, enter and succeed academically in postsecondary education.

FACILITIES

The Coastal Legacy Residential Workshop will be held at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark, the site of one of the country's first schools for freed slaves, and also a significant African American historical and cultural institution on St. Helena Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina. For more information, visit the Penn Center’s homepage (http://www.penncenter.com/).

– Participants of the program will visit Caw Caw Interpretive Center, a park managed by Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, to explore the myriad of wetland habitats, former rice fields, and slave settlements. Caw Caw Interpretive Center’s homepage (http://www.ccprc.com/cawcaw.htm) provides additional information on this resource.

– Teachers will also explore Hunting Island State Park which is located in Beaufort County, proximal to the Penn Center. This park offers educational resources such as a visitor’s center, interpretive staff, and 5,000 acres to investigate. Visit the homepage (http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetail.asp?PID=1019) for more details.

PARTICIPANT SELECTION CRITERIA

Space is limited to 24 middle school teachers from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia who currently integrate, or are interested in learning how to integrate, local/state culture and history in their math and science curricula. Preference will be given to certified science and social studies teachers; however teachers of other disciplines and media specialists are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Application Deadline: April 8, 2006
Notification of selection: April 14, 2006

If you live in North Carolina or Georgia, please direct all communications concerning the program and applications to the following:

Elizabeth Rogers, NC and GA Coastal Legacy Coordinator
Coastal Legacy Program
SE COSEE/SC Sea Grant Consortium
287 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 953-2078
Fax: (843) 953-2080
elizabeth.joyner@scseagrant.org
http://www.scseagrant.org/se-cosee/

All communications regarding the program and applications for South Carolina teachers should be addressed to:

Angela P. Enlow
Coastal Legacy Program/SC GEAR UP
SC Commission on Higher Education
1333 Main Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
Fax: (803) 737- 2297
Office: (803) 737-3919
aenlow@che.sc.gov
http://www.che.sc.gov

All applicants must have stated support from their principals or supervisors indicating that he/she will support your efforts to integrate ocean science topics into the curriculum and support the follow-up criteria during the school year. Additionally, applicants must include a statement letter explaining their related experience and interest. Completed application (including principal letter and personal statement) must be received by April 8, 2006. Initial notification of participants and alternates will be made by email on April 16, 2006 and followed by a letter. In selecting individuals for participation and otherwise in the administration of the Coastal Legacy Program, COSEE SE will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status..

RECERTIFICATION CREDIT

Participants will earn three recertification credits from NC, SC or GA Departments of Education after completion of program criteria (no later than December, 2006).

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT and BENEFITS

1. Stipend of $200 and a travel supplement
2. Housing and meals at thePenn Center for seven nights at no cost to the participant.
3. Travel re-imbursement (mileage) round trip between home and Pine Knolls Shore, NC
4. Exemplary curricula and resources
5. Long term support and communication between COSEE SE and the Program participants

HOUSING

Participants will be expected to stay at the Penn Center as Coastal Legacy will involve several evening meetings. Informal interaction among participants will be an integral component of the institute. Participants are encouraged to attend without families as there will be little, if any, time for you to spend with them and they cannot be housed at the Penn Center. No support is provided for dependents.

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