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"Taking the Pulse of our Coastal Ocean"

June 20 –25, 2006 , Savannah, GA
Application Deadline: April 5, 2006
Notification of Selection: April 12, 2006

DESCRIPTION

The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence Southeast (COSEE SE) invites middle school and high school science teachers to participate in the 2006 Ocean Observing Teacher Workshop, “Taking the Pulse of our Coastal Ocean.”  This workshop, sponsored by the SouthEast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS), is designed to provide information about new ocean observing systems, technology and relevance to understanding our coastal ocean.  This workshop promotes the use of real time and near real time data in middle and high school science and breaks barriers between educators and the realm of scientific research.  Fifteen teachers and five alternates will be selected from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. 

In this five-day workshop, participants will interact with ocean observing systems research scientists, take part in field experiences, tour the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and learn how to integrate new science into classroom applications.   Participants will receive educational resources, learn how to access data from web-based resources and how to develop a personal unit plan, and explore classroom use of ocean observing data. 

This workshop focuses on the southeast coastal ocean which provides geographic, local relevant information for teachers and their students. Two key elements include a greater understanding of the ocean through observing technology and the increased interaction between ocean science research and teachers.  The long term goal is to improve science education and attract students into ocean science careers. 

Successful completion of the workshop consists of these criteria: 

1. Participation in the entire workshop;
2. Demonstration of classroom application through the development and implementation of a unit plan for the participant’s classroom that incorporates the research and activities presented at the workshop;
3. Participation in evaluation protocols;
4. Participation in a follow-up teleconference to share experiences of classroom implementation and new resources.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

1. Introduce teachers to regional ocean observing tools and research topics and provide high quality curricular and educational resources;
2. Provide an effective interface between teachers and ocean observing systems researchers;
3. Promote inquiry learning, aligning with state and National Science Education Standards;
4. Facilitate access to existing web-based lessons and resources;
5. Provide long-term support, communication, and evaluation between COSEE SouthEast and workshop participants and among participants themselves. 

WORKSHOP COMPONENTS

The major science topics to be covered include: 

Earth Science: Gulf Stream and ocean circulation in the South Atlantic Bight, weather and the ocean with a hurricane and winter storm focus;

Technology and Engineering: Coastal ocean observing instruments, such as High Frequency RADAR, satellites, and wind sensors;

Environmental Science: Human impact on the coastal ocean;

Ecosystems: Observation of phytoplankton and food webs in the coastal ocean;

Workshop activities begin Tuesday, June 20th at 5 pm and end Sunday, June 25th at 1 pm.  Field excursions include an educational research trip onboard the R/V SeaDawg, barrier island dynamics and HF Radar setup on St. Catherine’s Island, and dynamics and beachfront erosion issues on Tybee Island. 

WORKSHOP TEAM

Katie Greganti, Workshop Coordinator.  SEACOOS Education and Extension Specialist
Lundie Spence, Ph.D., Director, COSEE SouthEast
Laura Murray, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, COSEE MidAtlantic and University of Maryland Horne Point Marine Laboratory
Jim Nelson, Ph.D., Professor, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

 

FACILITIES

The University of Georgia Marine Education Center and Aquarium (MECA), Savannah, GA, located on Skidaway Island, is adjacent to the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (http://www.skio.peachnet.edu/).  MECA houses a public aquarium, educational classrooms and docks on the Skidaway River about 10 miles from downtown Savannah.  Check the website: http://www.uga.edu/aquarium/.

PARTICIPANT SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Middle and high school teachers from NC, SC, GA, and FL who teach or are willing to teach about technology or marine science in their classrooms.  
2. Signature of support on the application from their principals or supervisors indicating that he/she will support participant’s efforts to integrate ocean science topics into the curriculum and support the follow-up criteria during the school year. 

Participants will be selected to provide regional geographic distribution and ethnic diversity. Teachers who are members of groups underrepresented in marine science and/or who teach larger numbers of students who are members or groups underrepresented in marine science are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Click here for the application form.
All communications concerning the workshop and applications should be addressed to:

Katie Greganti
SEACOOS Education and Extension Specialist
30 Ocean Science Circle
Savannah, GA 31411
912-355-3899
greganti@uga.edu

Completed application with required principal or supervisor signature must be received by April 5, 2006.  Initial notification of participants and alternates will be made by email on April 12, 2006 and followed by a letter.  In selecting individuals for participation and otherwise in the administration of this workshop, COSEE SE will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. 

RECERTIFICATION CREDIT

Three certification units will be arranged for teachers from NC, SC, GA and Fl upon completion of criteria.

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT and BENEFITS

1. Stipend of $200 upon completion of criteria to cover travel;
2. Housing and meals at MECA for five nights at no cost to the participant; 
3. Resources on ocean observing system tools and resources;
4. Integration to the COSEE SouthEast communication and access to additional programs. 

HOUSING

Participants are expected to stay in the MECA dorms as the workshop will be intensive, including activities and meetings in the evenings. Informal interaction among participants will be an integral component of the workshop. Resident facilities are adjacent to MECA. Rooms are dormitory style with double bunk beds and adjoining bathrooms. All rooms have A/C. The UGA MECA cafeteria will provide most of the meals. 

Participants are encouraged to attend without families as there will be little time for participants to spend with them and they cannot be housed at MECA. No support will be provided for dependents. 

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