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SouthEast COSEE’s 2005 Coastal Legacy Program highlights the rich cultural history of the Southeast’s Sea Islands and its influence on the coastal environment. In this week-long investigation, teachers will learn strategies to integrate Sea Island culture, history, and heritage in their science and mathematics instruction. Participants will also explore habitats in riverine and tidal wetlands, land use, geology and geography of the south east region. Exciting educational resources and lessons, access to scientists and community leaders, as well as opportunities to be regional leaders are key components in this week-long workshop.

This workshop will be held at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, SC on July 25-30, 2005. During this time, participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of resources available from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, Caw Caw Interpretive Center – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, Georgia Sea Grant Consortium, Gullah-Geechee Sea Island Coalition, and the University of Georgia’s Sapelo Island Marine Institute. Scientists who are currently investigating issues relevant to the field experiences will present at the workshop so that teachers have opportunities to develop relationships with scientists, learn about scientific issues relevant to the Sea Islands, as well as interact with scientists to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the other.

Participation in the Coastal Legacy workshop will improve the teachers' existing cultural and scientific understanding of the coast. Teachers will also have numerous opportunities to learn how to integrate their experiences, and local resources, in their science and mathematics instruction. As a result of these rich experiences, participants will develop and test new standards-based lessons designed to increase awareness of--and build an appreciation for--the contributions of African Americans to the rich cultural and scientific heritage of coastal NC, SC and GA. As a result, more people from traditionally underrepresented groups will become engaged in the coastal and ocean sciences, such as coastal management and policy.

Target Audience: Space is limited to 12 elementary and middle school teachers from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia who currently include, or are interested in learning how to include, local/state culture and history in their math and science curricula.

SouthEast Goal: Forge lasting relationships between educators and coastal cultural and scientific resource experts and facilities.

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